Verve Coffee workers reach tentative union contract

Workers at six Verve Coffee Roasters cafés in the Bay Area, including two in Santa Cruz, have reached a tentative union agreement following nearly 10 months of bargaining. Represented by United Food and Commercial Workers Local 5, the contract includes wage increases, guaranteed hours, advance scheduling, and workplace protections. Notably, the agreement features provisions for an additional $5 per hour in sick pay to offset lost tips and establishes limits on the company’s use of artificial intelligence for employee decision-making.

Separately, the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP) has announced a Creative Economy Summit to be held on October 22 at the Watsonville Civic Plaza. The summit aims to bring together business and community leaders from Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Monterey counties to discuss the economic impact of arts and culture. Recent data from the Arts Council of Santa Cruz County indicates that the local nonprofit arts and culture industry generated $68 million in economic activity in 2022.