The Secret Agent Organizer of the Starbucks Union with Jaz Brisack

Jul 23, 2025 · 1h 24m

Companies are infamous for their union busting tactics, but that doesn’t mean union organizers don’t have their own strategies. This week, Adam speaks with Jaz Brisack, an undercover organizer, or union “salt”, who took a job as a barista in a Starbucks in Buffalo, NY with the explicit intention of organizing Starbucks employees. Thanks to the effort of Jaz and other organizers, around 550 Starbucks stores and 11,000 baristas now have a union. Adam and Jaz talk about how to drum up support for a union in a workplace, the tactics companies use to try to prevent unionization, and how cats are a surprisingly effective source of early workplace bonding. Find Jaz's book at factuallypod.com/books -- SUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/adamconover SEE ADAM ON TOUR: https://www.adamconover.net/tourdates/ SUBSCRIBE to and RATE Factually! on: » Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/factually-with-adam-conover/id1463460577 » Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0fK8WJw4ffMc2NWydBlDyJ About Headgum: Headgum is an LA & NY-based podcast network creating premium podcasts with the funniest, most engaging voices in comedy to achieve one goal: Making our audience a…

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