New Orleans workers are reviving a long-standing tradition of labor organizing. From coffee shop baristas to public sector workers and educators, unions are making a comeback in a region long shaped by economic inequality, racial injustice, and corporate control.
This new wave of organizing isn’t just about wages. It’s about dignity, workplace democracy, and reclaiming power from systems that exploit labor while praising the city’s “resilience.” Here’s how it’s unfolding—and where it’s heading.
Brewing Solidarity at Starbucks
In early 2022, baristas at the Starbucks on Maple Street became the first in Louisiana to vote to unionize. The move was driven by concerns over low wages, inconsistent scheduling, and workplace conditions.
By 2024, baristas at the St. Claude Avenue location filed for an election as part of a wave of Starbucks Workers United campaigns sweeping the country. But as organizing grew, so did the company’s resistance.
Workers reported union-busting tactics, including retaliation and firings. A federal labor judge ruled that Starbucks illegally terminated a pro-union employee in New Orleans—part of a broader pattern of violations nationwide.
In response, employees participated in a nationwide strike on Christmas Eve, joining over 300 stores demanding fair contracts and respect on the job.
City Workers Demand More Than Gratitude
While baristas were challenging a global coffee giant, New Orleans city workers were turning up the pressure at home.
In late 2023, members of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) spoke out about abuse, harassment, and mismanagement in their departments. They testified at city council meetings about being overworked, underpaid, and disrespected.
At the forefront of this effort is the New Orleans City Workers Organizing Committee (NOCWOC), a rank-and-file-led caucus pushing for a $15 minimum wage, a grievance process with teeth, and real accountability from city leadership.
Their movement emphasizes workplace democracy and union transparency—shifting power back to the workers themselves.
Educators Rebuilding After Betrayal
Few workers in New Orleans have suffered more than public school teachers.
After Hurricane Katrina, over 7,500 educators—most of them Black—were fired. Their union, United Teachers of New Orleans (UTNO), was effectively dismantled, and the school system shifted entirely to charters.
A new, often non-local workforce replaced long-standing educators, many unfamiliar with New Orleans or union history. This created fertile ground for administrative overreach and union suppression.
In 2024, teachers at Lycée Français went public with allegations of union-busting. Their experience reignited conversations about teacher rights and the legacy of UTNO.
Despite the odds, a new generation of educators is organizing again—fighting for better pay, a seat at the table, and the restoration of labor power in schools.
A Legacy Renewed
New Orleans has always had a fierce labor tradition—from the biracial general strike of 1892 to the port workers’ unions of the 20th century. UTNO was once one of the largest and most powerful unions in the South.
Today’s movement builds on that legacy with fresh energy. It’s multiracial, intergenerational, and intersectional—spanning coffee shops, classrooms, and city offices.
The through-line is clear: economic justice is community justice. And it’s worth fighting for.
The Struggle Continues
Unions in New Orleans face uphill battles—from corporate retaliation to legislative roadblocks. But the movement is growing stronger.
Whether it’s a barista on strike, a sanitation worker demanding fair pay, or a teacher calling out administrative abuses, the message is the same: New Orleans workers will no longer be ignored.
This is more than a comeback. It’s a call to action—and a reminder that solidarity, like the city itself, doesn’t back down.
