Submitted on Thu, 05/24/2007 - 12:58am
Starbucks protest in Lancaster, PA draws 30
by John Schreck
Lancaster, PA - On May 17th, the Lancaster branch of the Industrial Workers of the World and the Lancaster Students for a Democratic Society protested for over three hours at the Columbia Avenue store in solidarity with the IWW-Starbucks Workers Union. At the peak of the event 25 demonstrators were in attendance and approximately 30 people attended all together.
Three years after the founding of the IWW Starbucks Workers Union, the organization has members in multiple U.S states successfully using Direct Action to rise out of poverty and articulate an independent voice on the job.
To silence worker voices, Starbucks has disgracefully terminated eight SWU baristas in retaliation for their union activity. The SWU has prevailed against Starbucks to reinstate two of the members but six
remain out of a job. Despite multiple Labor Board complaints, the coffee giant continues to punish baristas for discussing the union and relentlessly forces union-busting propaganda down workers throats. Starbucks must understand that working people of conscience will not allow this affront to the dignity
of our class.
Submitted on Mon, 05/21/2007 - 10:56pm
Headlines:
- Los Angeles Troqueros mobilize for May Day shutdown
- Starbucks violated IWW workers' rights, says NLRB
- McDonald's gives in to Coalition of Immokalee Workers
Featured Articles:
- New column - Workers Power
- Interview: Tom Morello is a One Man Revolution
- IWW in Scotland presses Save Crichton campaign
- Reviews - Centenary Songbook and Little Red Songbook history
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Submitted on Sat, 05/19/2007 - 11:18pm
Contact:
Grand Rapids: Cole Dorsey, Barista and Union Member - 616-881-5263
Chicago: Joe Tessone, Barista and Union Member - 815-545-5273
New York: Daniel Gross, Organizer IWW Starbucks Workers Union - 917-577-1110
Grand Rapids, MI 5/17/07- Baristas at Wealthy St. Starbucks in East Grand Rapids announced last night their membership in the IWW Starbucks Workers Union ( http://www.starbucksunion.org ), becoming the first store in Michigan to declare union membership at the world's largest coffee chain.
Workers served Starbucks management at the café, located on 2172 Wealthy St. SE, with a declaration of union membership and a set of demands including a living wage, guaranteed work hours, reinstatement of IWW baristas fired for organizing activity, and respect for an independent voice on the job through union membership.
“For a company as profitable as Starbucks my fellow baristas and I should be better compensated for our work,” said Cole Dorsey, an IWW barista at the Wealthy St. store. “We hope to build off the achievements already won by the IWW Starbucks Workers Union in New York and Chicago and improve our working conditions here in Grand Rapids.”
After management got wind of the 'union talk' at Starbucks cafes in Grand Rapids all baristas citywide were forced to sign Starbucks corporate statement on unions.
One victory already won at the Wealthy St. store is more consistent scheduling, which came about directly after workers began discussing the union.
In stark contrast to its employee-friendly image, Starbucks workers in Grand Rapids and around the world face low wages and barriers to health care and other benefits. After years of promoting itself as a leader in employee health care, Starbucks was forced to admit that only 42% of its employees (including management) are covered by company health care- that figure is lower than Wal-Mart's 47%, a company often condemned for its poor health care package.
In Grand Rapids, baristas start at only $7.25 per hour and, like all café workers at the company,are not guaranteed any number of work hours per week. Employees who expect to work full-time are often not given the necessary number of hours to qualify for health care benefits.
Founded in 2004, the IWW Starbucks Workers Union has won three wage increases, more consistent scheduling, and safety improvements at Starbucks stores across the country. The union uses direct pressure against the company on the job and in the community to win demands and remedy member grievances with management. The union's organizing approach is known as solidarity unionism whereby workers themselves control their own organization; power is exerted without interference from the government or union bureaucrats; and organizing takes place regardless of certification status. Like many labor organizations, the IWW Starbucks Workers Union does not get involved in government certification elections because of the fatal flaws in that system. Starbucks does not recognize the union and is waging a relentless campaign to crush the organization, which resulted in a large complaint leveled against the company by the National Labor Relations Board. The government settlement agreement of those charges is available on the web at
http://www.starbucksunion.org/node/712.
Submitted on Fri, 05/18/2007 - 3:34am
Workers Around the World Take Part in Day of Action for Starbucks Workers and Farmers
Chicago, IL- A group of Starbucks baristas here marched into their store today and served a declaration of union membership on their store manager as working people in countries around the globe demonstrated in solidarity with Starbucks coffee farmers and café workers.
"As members of the Industrial Workers of the World, we won't allow Starbucks to play dice with the amount of work hours we get each week," said Liz Clarkson, an IWW barista at the Chicago store. "Taking this action for secure work hours and a livable wage on the third anniversary of the SWU's founding makes it all the sweeter."
Submitted on Tue, 05/15/2007 - 11:46am
UNITE action against Starbucks
In response to a call from the Starbucks Workers Union (SWU) in the US, UNITE is proud to be participating in an international day of action in solidarity with Starbucks workers on May 17.
UNITE members and supporters will be holding an action outside Starbucks on Swanston Street in the Melbourne CBD. At the store located between Lonsdale and Little Lonsdale streets (across from QV). Please join us between 4pm & 5pm Thursday May 17.
See below for the text of the leaflet UNITE will be handing out on the day. It is based on similar leaflets that will be handed out across the world.
Solidarity with Starbucks workers
