3 months ago
3
25
Posted On: July 24th 2026, 10:38 pm
I am writing to you with devastating news. This past Sunday Piper Milliken, a member of our bargaining team, executive board, and founding organizer of our union, died. She was 27 years old.
BBIU owes its existence in no small part due to Piper. She was instrumental in collecting union authorization cards, leading our walkout for recognition in 2024, and leading multiple strikes in 2025. Our union owes its vision to Piper’s dedication to class struggle, international solidarity, and trans rights.
As a trans woman, Piper knew firsthand that the struggle for trans liberation is inseparable from our struggle as a union. Trans people are often pushed into service work because we are systematically discriminated against in and outside of the workplace. The composition of baristas at Blue Bottle reflects this with 33% of BBIU members being trans. Trans people are far more likely than cisgender people to be unemployed, live in poverty, and live with food insecurity.
In the nearly four years that she worked at Blue Bottle, she dedicated countless hours to talking with coworkers, organizing cafés, attending bargaining sessions, and serving as a Weingarten representative. She was a fierce advocate and was acutely aware to how management’s tyranny affected her coworkers. I am personally thankful to her for the countless occasions that she served as a Weingarten representative for me in meetings with management.
Piper cared deeply about her coworkers. Every union meeting and bargaining session she was raising issues brought to her by her coworkers and sharing how much she knew we needed to fight for better. I loved hearing her tell stories about work, and I know that her coworkers at the Newbury location will miss her and her sense of humor.
It has been an honor and a privilege to organize alongside her. I wish that I could tell her that right now. May her memory be a blessing.
We will have updates in the coming days about a memorial service for her. We have gotten Blue Bottle to agree to close stores early on the day of the service should members choose to attend.
In solidarity,
Alex “Gonzo” Pyne
BBIU owes its existence in no small part due to Piper. She was instrumental in collecting union authorization cards, leading our walkout for recognition in 2024, and leading multiple strikes in 2025. Our union owes its vision to Piper’s dedication to class struggle, international solidarity, and trans rights.
As a trans woman, Piper knew firsthand that the struggle for trans liberation is inseparable from our struggle as a union. Trans people are often pushed into service work because we are systematically discriminated against in and outside of the workplace. The composition of baristas at Blue Bottle reflects this with 33% of BBIU members being trans. Trans people are far more likely than cisgender people to be unemployed, live in poverty, and live with food insecurity.
In the nearly four years that she worked at Blue Bottle, she dedicated countless hours to talking with coworkers, organizing cafés, attending bargaining sessions, and serving as a Weingarten representative. She was a fierce advocate and was acutely aware to how management’s tyranny affected her coworkers. I am personally thankful to her for the countless occasions that she served as a Weingarten representative for me in meetings with management.
Piper cared deeply about her coworkers. Every union meeting and bargaining session she was raising issues brought to her by her coworkers and sharing how much she knew we needed to fight for better. I loved hearing her tell stories about work, and I know that her coworkers at the Newbury location will miss her and her sense of humor.
It has been an honor and a privilege to organize alongside her. I wish that I could tell her that right now. May her memory be a blessing.
We will have updates in the coming days about a memorial service for her. We have gotten Blue Bottle to agree to close stores early on the day of the service should members choose to attend.
In solidarity,
Alex “Gonzo” Pyne
Comments (25)
3 months agobutterfieldbuddy
May their memory be a blessing and a reminder to us all of what this is all for. I'm so sorry for her loss to everyone who knew and loved her.
3 months agomayanotfromtraderjoes
this is devastating news. rest in peace Piper. you were such a pleasure to know and work with. she was truly a bright light on a cloudy day. ❤️
3 months agothe.labor.force
This is a devastating loss. Our hearts are with all of you and all of Piper’s loved ones ❤️
3 months agobigmeowthbakes
Devastating loss for the community and everyone. Always in my heart, Piper.
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