so does anyone have advice on forming/joining a union in a location with no union?

there is a Starbucks union connected to IWW already

so it's a matter of getting it started at my store

You probably want to quietly reach out to one of the other unionized stores. Or if there's a 'public face' of one of those stores who is NOT a manager, reach out to them.

Also are you in an at-will employment state? Because starbucks will absolutely fire you if they find out about this, using any excuse they have.

Every state is at-will except for Montana

If there is an IWW Starbucks union already, reach out to them before you do anything. You want them behind you in case shit goes south.

You cannot be fired for organizing a union, but Starbucks will obviously try to make up any other reason to get rid of you. But if you're already in contact with IWW and you can prove you were fired as a union-busting tactic, that's a slam dunk wrongful termination suit.

my DM had a history of retaliation so I know to keep things quiet

but I've spoken to fellow partners and a lot of them are onboard

Shit dude good luck!

I'm doing my research

good luck! we're rooting for you

reached out to the IWW which is the union associated with sbux organizers, waiting to hear back

get them ganbatte

yessss, unionize