Fast food workers at highway service plazas across Connecticut have unionized, a first in the state. The historic action took place last month, at all 23 service plazas in the state. While the records are not available, it appears the employees at Dunkin’, Panera, and Starbucks joined Service Employees International Union, Local 32BJ.
The newly unionized fast-food workers join building and maintenance staff who were already part of SEIU Local 32BJ. The service plazas are located along Interstate 95, Interstate 395, and Route 15.
The unionization result was the culmination of a 6-year union campaign which included official state involvement. On November 13, 2025, Governor Ned Lamont announced an agreement between Local 32BJ and Applegreen requiring Applegreen’s neutrality during the union campaign. The deal allowed workers to engage in a card check process to reduce fear of reprisals (this card check allowed unionization of the plazas without the normal election as long as a majority of the employees at the involved locations signed union cards.) In an additional agreement, facilitated by the Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL), Project Service, the operator of the service plazas, agreed to pay $1.5 million dollars to resolve allegations that its food service subcontractors violated state standard wages laws. This month, Local 32BJ will begin to negotiate a contract with these employers, focusing on issues such as work conditions and benefits.
While fast food union efforts have grown in size and publicity, as seen by Starbucks, this situation is unusual. Rather than expanding store by store in the typical fashion, fast-food workers at highway service plazas, with the help of state officials, unionized across the state in one action.
Connecticut is the first and only state to have unions across all its highway service plazas, and the movement may spread. In fact, Pennsylvania could be next. Applegreen, which also manages plazas along highways in Pennsylvania, faced backlash from employees for wage changes implemented last August. Those employees created a petition pushing back against the plan. It remains to be seen whether a union effort will emerge. Regardless of what happens in Pennsylvania, employers of fast-food workers should pay attention to union activity in their area.
Brody and Associates regularly advises its clients on all labor management issues, including union-related matters, and provides union-free training. If we can be of assistance in this area, please contact us at info@brodyandassociates.com or 203.454.0560.
