Emergency Workplace Organizing Committee

Origins

EWOC began in March 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic.^[1][6] EWOC initially focused on helping workers organize around COVID-19 workplace protections, including paid sick leave, vaccine access, hazard pay, and masking.^[7][8][5]

Since 2021, EWOC has focused on organizing the unorganized workers of America.^[9] EWOC focuses on industries that have been under-served by the labor movement, such as food service workers.^[10]

Unionization campaigns

In February 2021, EWOC volunteers helped organize retail workers at Bookshop Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz, California.^[8] Workers voted to join Communication Workers of America (CWA) as Local 9423.^[11]

In September 2022, EWOC volunteers helped organize healthcare workers at Ascension Seton Medical Center in Austin, Texas.^[9] Workers voted to join National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU).^[12] In March 2024, workers won a first contract.^[12]

In October 2022, EWOC volunteers helped organize food service workers at Chipotle in Lawrence, Kansas.^[13][14] However, Lawrence Chipotle workers were unable to form a union due to extensive unfair labor practices from Chipotle, as determined by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).^[15][16] Chipotle settled with the NLRB, posting material about the right to organize in staff areas, but nobody was reinstated or given back pay.^[17] Workers in the Lawrence Chipotle were inspired by the August 2022 vote by Chipotle workers in Lansing, Michigan, who were supported by Metro Detroit DSA. Workers voted 11-3 to unionize with International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 243, the chain's first unionized location.^[18][19] The Lansing Chipotle was the only Chipotle location to successfully unionize. Contract negotiations in Lansing stalled until 2026, when the union failed to win a contract. Chipotle has never recognized any union at any location.^[20] Chipotle was forced to pay $240,000 for busting a union attempt in Augusta, Maine.^[21]

In March 2023, EWOC volunteers helped organize retail workers at REI in SoHo.^[22] Workers voted to create the REI Union with the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) of the AFL-CIO.^[23][24][25] On March 2, 2022, workers at REI's SoHo store voted 88–14 in support of the union.^[26] As of 2025, eleven REI stores have voted to unionize, but have yet to finish negotiating a contract.^[27]

In April 2023, EWOC volunteers helped organize workers at Drunk Shakespeare in Chicago. Workers voted to unionize as Drunk Shakespeare United (DSU) with the Actors' Equity Association (AEA).^[28] DSU spread from Chicago to other Drunk Shakespeare locations, including Phoenix and Washington, D.C.^[28] In November 2024, DSU Chicago won their first contract, crediting EWOC training and mentorship,^[29] which included pay raises, health insurance, and limits to on-stage drinking.^[30][31]

In July 2023, EWOC volunteers helped organize food service workers at Barboncino, a Crown Heights pizzeria.^[32][33][34] A majority of workers at Barboncino voted to unionize with Workers United NY/NJ of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), representing 40 workers and becoming the first unionized pizzeria in New York City.^[35][34]

In November 2023, EWOC volunteers helped organize service workers at board game cafe Hex&Co. in New York City.^[10] EWOC helped workers in New York board game cafes The Uncommons and The Brooklyn Strategist follow suit.^[36][37] Their union, Tabletop Workers United within Workers United NY/NJ of SEIU, became the first board game worker union in New York City.^[38][39] Out of 94 voters, 77 voted to unionize.^[40] Tabletop Workers United now represents over 100 workers at all three cafes.^[36][37] In 2024, TWU ratified its first contract at Brooklyn Strategist.^[41] In 2025, TWU won contracts at all cafes.^[37]

In November 2023, EWOC volunteers helped organize retail workers at Trader Joe's in Hadley, Minneapolis, Louisville, and Oakland.^[9] Workers voted to form the independent union Trader Joe's United.^[42]

In May 2024, EWOC volunteers helped organize food service workers at Blue Bottle Coffee (owned by Nestlé) in Boston, Massachusetts. Workers voted 38–4 form the Blue Bottle Independent Union (BBIU).^[43][44][45] In August 2025, EWOC volunteers helped organize Blue Bottle workers in downtown Berkeley, Piedmont Avenue, Old Oakland, and downtown Oakland. California workers voted 22-5 to join BBIU.^[46][47] In November 2025, after 92% of workers voted in favor, 80 Boston and 35 California workers went on strike for 4 days during the Thanksgiving weekend. BBIU accused the company of negotiating the union contract in bad faith.^[48][49]

In August 2025, EWOC volunteers helped organize beauty care workers at Sugared + Bronzed in Los Angeles and Santa Monica. Workers voted to unionize with Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 9505, the first salon union in the country.^[50][51][52]