Starbucks union marks second anniversary with outreach effort
Submitted on Tue, 05/23/2006 - 2:04pm
Excerpted from Work News for Week Ending May 23 - By Brendan Coyne, The New Standard.
In a show of solidarity, members of the (Industrial) Workers of the World (IWW) and their supporters last week wandered into Starbucks shops across the nation, as well as in Canada and the United Kingdom, to talk with employees about unionizing. The volunteer outreach effort was conducted as part of the Starbucks Workers Union’s two-year anniversary.
Manhattan Starbucks workers have been battling the coffee-dispensing chain for over two years. In complaints filed with the National Labor Relations Board, SWU members said management has attempted to coerce, bribe and otherwise intimidate workers trying to organize. The union alleges the company’s efforts included firing two workers for their pro-union activities and keeping files on union activists.
Earlier this month, the NLRB signed off on a settlement under which Starbucks promises not to interfere with organizing efforts. As part of the agreement, Starbucks is to offer to reinstate the two dismissed employees, Sarah Bender and Anthony Polanco. In addition, the company has to pay three employees back-pay and post a notice affirming its commitment to workers’ rights. Under the settlement terms, Starbucks admits no guilt.