The Coffee Tree Roasters

Staff at The Coffee Tree Roasters have voted 17-to-3 to unionize, the local chapter of the United Food and Commercial Workers union announced Tuesday.

Current and former employees of Pittsburgh-area chain Coffee Tree Roasters say the company has enlisted the help of consultants in an effort to persuade the workers to abandon a unionization campaign. State and local office-holders rallied Wednesday in support of the workers.

Local leaders have spoken out in support of baristas at The Coffee Tree Roasters after a union organizer was fired from the company.