Submitted on Sat, 05/10/2008 - 2:39pm
In March 2008 the Grand Rapids GMB of the IWW and the Grand Rapids Starbucks Workers Union announced the beginning of a 'Spring Offensive against Starbucks (SOS)' to increase local pressure on the coffee giant on the eve of the fourth anniversary of the Starbucks Union founding, and in support of the new Unfair Labor Practice charges filed against Starbucks in Grand Rapids. Wobblies described S.O.S. as a 'multi-pronged' offensive where union members: would increase engagement with costumers about Starbucks' union-busting and 'fair tade' policies, increase contact with local baristas about the demands of the SWU as well as invitations to social gatherings, and an increase in publicity and community exposure.
IWW baristas honored MayDay 2008 with a press conference and celebration. At 4:00pm GMB members Jackie Wood and Chuck Neller posted in front of the Starbucks store in East Grand Rapids, with the branch banner, in preparation of the press conference. Union baristas then addressed the media with statements expressing solidarity with others struggling on the job, and announced a renewed commitment to fight Starbucks repression.
Submitted on Thu, 05/08/2008 - 2:59am
On May 17, join the IWW Starbucks Workers Union and allies around the world to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the union's founding in a Day of Action.
2008 is the 40th anniversary of the slaying of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., felled by a sniper's bullet as he stood in solidarity with sanitation workers striking for the right to form a labor union.
As a rabidly anti-union, poverty wage employer, Starbucks represents the unbridled greed and exploitation that King opposed. Indeed, the
Starbucks Corporation demeans Dr. King's legacy by treating his federal
holiday like a second-class occasion as it fails to pay the premium it
pays on several other holidays on Dr. King's day. If Starbucks is really interested in "embracing diversity", it can start by respecting Dr. King's holiday.
Submitted on Sat, 04/26/2008 - 12:28pm
For Immediate Release
IWW Starbucks Workers Union, StarbucksUnion.org
Contact: starbucksunion (at) yahoo.com
Union Alleges that the Embattled Coffee Giant is Violating a Settlement Agreement
Grand Rapids, MI (04/15/2008)- As Starbucks awaits the decision in a
trial over 30-plus unfair labor practices in New York City, the IWW
Starbucks Workers Union has filed labor charges against the company in
Michigan. These new charges come less than a year since Starbucks
signed a settlement agreement with the National Labor Relations Board
pledging to refrain from unlawful anti-union intimidation in Grand
Rapids. Baristas say Starbucks anti-union activity has continued
unabated since the agreement. The new charges included alleged
violations of the settlement agreement.
Submitted on Sun, 04/06/2008 - 4:29pm
Disclaimer - The opinions of the author do not necessarily match those of the IWW. The image pictured to the right did not appear in the original article, we have added it here to provide a visual perspective. This article is reposted in accordance to Fair Use guidelines.
By Amy Zimmer - Metro New York, APR 4, 2008
MANHATTAN.
The lawsuits against Starbucks — still steamed from a recent ruling by
a California judge ordering to pay more than $100 million in tips and
interests to baristas — are frothing over.
Jeana Barenboim, 22, a former barista at a Forest Hills
Starbucks, filed a federal lawsuit against the coffee giant yesterday
in the Southern District of New York. A similar suit was filed last
week in Boston.
Like the California case, these former baristas claim they were forced to share tips with shift supervisors.
Submitted on Wed, 03/19/2008 - 4:37pm
From - starbucksunion.org
Seattle, WA- As shareholders arrive at the Starbucks
Annual Meeting today, members of the IWW Starbucks
Workers Union and their supporters will greet them
with leaflets highlighting the economic hardships
faced by workers at the company and offering the
workers' perspective on how to fix the recent plunge
in its stock price.
"Maintaining a long-term, well-paid workforce is the
key to lasting success at Starbucks," said Lucas
Carter, a member of the IWW in Seattle. "If workers
don't get enough work hours every week and they are
struggling to pay the bills, how can management expect
them to serve coffee with a smile?"
