We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Fatemeh Alhadjaboodi. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Fatemeh below.

Alright, Fatemeh thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Organizing my workplace was definitely the biggest risk I have taken. The summer of 2023 me and a couple of my coworkers agreed that enough was enough. We were sick of the horrible working conditions and the double standard on standards in our workplace. We got together over late night conversations and created our organizing team, once we talked to every coworker and they all felt the same way we contacted our union and placed our intent to organize. Even though joining a union is a fully federally protected activity, our company has unlawfully fired people for organizing, so proudly wearing our union button on our apron was essentially baring it all. There was no hiding it and I proudly wore my union button. Once we had our union election we won 19-0, we certified our union. That was probably one of the most exciting days I had experienced yet. It was a symbol of every worker standing up together and realizing that our hands craft the profit day by day, and we deserve- no, we are owed, the fruits of our labor. Not only was is monumental for us as workers but it was even more so for myself. It felt like the first time in my life I was able to stand up for myself and have a voice. The day after our election we participated in one of the largest strikes our union had ever done. It was a cold November day but we took our picket line from my store and marched down the street to the other union shop.

2024 is when we started contract bargaining, our strike in 2023 pushed the company to meet with us at the table and start bargaining a first contract. They could no longer pretend we didn’t exist. All of 2024 me and my team of other contract bargaining delegates flew to various locations to meet with the company once a month. Getting to sit and draft actual contract language that will tangibly impact thousands of workers is such an amazing privilege, especially as a second generation Iranian American. Being able to make sure marginalized voices were represented in our union contract is something we won’t compromise on. So being able to represent and speak up in our contract is amazing.

Long story short, organizing my workplace was the biggest risk I have ever taken, it was a step into the dark. It had to work because it couldn’t not work. Even though it was a risk, it was the best decision I have ever made in my life and I would never change it if I had the chance. We are all laborers and we all deserve liberation and the ability to not just survive, but to thrive. I will always stand up for my fellow person.

Fatemeh, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Grace Fatemeh Alhadjaboodi, I go by Fatemeh. I am a second generation Iranian American, and a 24 year old Dallas native. I am a 5 year Starbucks shift supervisor, but more importantly, I am a contract bargaining delegate and a proud union organizer for StarbucksWorkersUnited (SBWU). I got into this role by being brave and feeling empowered to speak up for me and my coworkers. I never thought of myself as a leader but as I have grown and stepped up to the occasion, I have learned what my voice can do and the power I hold as one person but especially as a collective. We are a almost 4 year old union started in Buffalo NY, with now 550+ unionized stores, 14+ of those being in the DFW area. Not only am I an active labor organizer for SBWU, but I sit on many different community projects in the area helping anyone with organizing, community building, and fighting for liberation of all people. Outside of my work and union life I am a full time student, graduating this May 2025 with a Bachelors of Science in Biology with a focus in coservation ecology.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Showing up. Being able to be there when people need you, and being able to show up and speak up. Not only that but not being afraid to stand up for what is right, being knowledgeable on what our rights are and standing up when you see them being infringed upon. People know I have their back.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I would like to this the whole journey of organizing illustrates my resilience. However a moment that comes to mind is the last strike we went on. We got it all together on the flip of a dime and went on strike for 5 days. Being able to execute and support each other during a last minute strike just shows the resilience and commitment.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sbworkersunited.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dfw_sbwu

Image Credits

Johhny Waugh (2 images)
SBWU Media Staff (2 images)