Submitted on Tue, 05/15/2007 - 3:54am
Text by Rob X355616 and Photo by Stephanie X360677
Early May and Leicestershire IWW was involved in a host of diverse activities, ranging from participation in the May Day demo, running a stall at a local Social Forum event, flyering a local blood donor surgery as part of the National Blood Service dispute, and engaging in IWW social activities.
As the official Leicester Trades Council march was to be held on the 5th May, Leicester Wobblies decided to celebrate the real May Day with a social event at a cheap and friendly local Indian vegetarian place. The new local branch is a great believer in the notion that, 'people who play together will fight together' so social events are seen as essential for not only building branch cohesion but also for bringing new members into the local Wobbly scene.
Saturday 5th May we mobilised 15 Leicestershire Wobblies and were joined by a couple of members from Cambridge and Milton Keynes for the Trades Council march to defend public services.
Submitted on Tue, 05/15/2007 - 3:31am
I’m an Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) member. I worked hard to start the union strong, so that we would be strong in the end. And just like when we started, we’ve grown and become strong. Because in union there is strength.
– Eliezer Maca Gallardo
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
Warehouse workers in New York City need your help in their fight against employers who have stolen their wages, thumbed their noses at labor laws, and vigorously fought against unionization. These workers have built the IWW Food and Allied Workers Union - I.U.460/640 against incredible odds, and still stand strong in the face of mass firings. They've shown how immigrant workers can fight sweatshop conditions to build a better future.
Submitted on Mon, 05/14/2007 - 2:46am
Los trabajadores de Starbucks y sus amigos aliados tomaran a las calles para demandar justicia de la cadena cafetera mas grande del mundo para los baristas y granjeros de café.
Tres años atrás los jefes de la corporación Starbucks estaban despreocupados y sentados muy bonito en sus fortunas multi-millonarias, confiados que leyes laborales contra el empleado continuarían beneficiándoles con una fuerza de empleo sin miembros de algún sindicato en los EE.UU. Pero aun enfrentando obstáculos, los trabajadores encontraron la manera de unirse y pelear por justicia hasta la victoria. Tres años después de que el IWW Starbucks Workers Union [StarbucksUnion.org], el sindicato ahora tiene miembros en varios estados de los EE.UU. que están usando acción directa para levantarse de la pobreza y articular una voz independiente en el trabajo.
Submitted on Wed, 05/09/2007 - 4:08am
Call to Action for a Day in Solidarity with Starbucks Workers
May 17, 2007
Starbucks workers and their allies will take to the streets around the world to demand justice from the world's largest coffee chain for baristas and coffee farmers. Three years ago the corporate bosses at Starbucks were sitting pretty on their multi-million dollar fortunes, confident that anti-worker labor laws would continue to ensure a workforce with zero union membership in the United States. But no matter the constraints, working people will find a way to join hands and struggle for justice until victory. Three years after the founding of the IWW Starbucks Workers Union [StarbucksUnion.org], 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.
Submitted on Wed, 05/09/2007 - 4:04am
As the May 17th Day of Action to commemorate the third anniversary of the Starbucks Workers Union approaches, IWW barista Sarah Bender will appear on Pacifica's Democracy Now!. On Wednesday May 9, Sarah will discuss the IWW's organizing drive at Starbucks and our Justice from Bean to Cup! initiative in the wake of the victory against Starbucks for Ethiopian coffee farmers.
Sarah was fired by Starbucks in retaliation for union activity in 2005. Far from backing down, Sarah coordinated a grassroots support effort which culminated in a legal victory against Starbucks that won Sarah her job back. In addition to organizing on the job, Sarah participated in a barista delegation to Ethiopia to build relationships with the coffee farmers growing beans for Starbucks.
