Campaigns

Grand Rapids Starbucks Union and Sevilla, Spain CNT have announced a Global Day of Action against Starbucks July 5th

Day to protest recent firing of CNT member in Spain and continuing anti-union discrimination in Grand Rapids

The Union of Comerical and Hotel workers CNT-AIT in Sevilla, Spain along with the Grand Rapids Starbucks Workers Union (IWW) have announced a Global Day of Action scheduled for July 5th. The two groups are asking social organizations, unions, and individuals from around the world to promote and participate in this day of action.

On April 24th, 2008 a barista named Monica was fired for her union activity from a Starbucks in Sevilla, Spain. She was a member of the Union of Commercial and Hotel Workers of the Confederacion Nacional de Trabajadores (CNT). Now with the support of all CNT affiliates, the International Workers Association, and the Starbucks Workers Union (IWW) they are demanding justice for Monica.

The treatment of Monica in Spain by Starbucks is similar to the charges of anti-union discrimination being investigated by the National Labor Relations Board in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This new Grand Rapids investigation comes less than a year since Starbucks signed a settlement agreement with the NLRB claiming they would end intimidation against baristas interested in joining the Starbucks Union.

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.

Since it’s founding on May 17, 2004, the Industrial Workers of the World
campaign at Starbucks has spread around the country with new workers
joining the campaign every week. Support has poured in from around the
world and important gains in wages and working conditions have been won
through direct action, grassroots pressure, media advocacy, and legal
filings.

A recent Labor Board trial exposed the underbelly of Starbucks' massive
anti-union operation as replete with illegal spying, discrimination,
terminations, and much more. Yet, Starbucks' relentless union busting,
carried out in association with corporate law firm Akin Gump and public
relations firm Edelman, continues on with impunity.

Take action in your community on May 17th to ensure Starbucks stops
disrespecting Dr. King's holiday and stops demeaning his selfless final
act of solidarity with workers seeking to vindicate the right to form a
labor union. A Starbucks Union-MLK flyer is available for download here.

Contact M17 Coordinator Vallan Anundson, at 571.276.1935 or disillpow (at) riseup.net,
to let us know you're participating or for more information.

This May 17, the IWW Starbucks Workers Union will
celebrate its fourth anniversary with actions around
the world.

In New York City, you are invited to join baristas and
supporters for a colorful and lively protest at the
new $24.7 million mansion of Starbucks CEO Howard
Schultz.

A STARBUCKS BARISTA WOULD HAVE TO WORK OVER 350 YEARS
STRAIGHT WITHOUT SLEEPING TO PURCHASE SCHULTZ'S MANSION!

The Starbucks Union baristas of Grand Rapids, Michigan honor international workers' day and speak out for the rights of baristas and coffee farmers including a wrongfully fired barista in Spain from the CNT union.

Watch Here

The CNT in Spain made sure to stop by Starbucks on their May Day march:

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.

"Instead of respecting the agreement they reached with the NLRB, Starbucks has continued retaliating against employees. They continue to refuse to respect barista's right to organize," said Cole Dorsey a barista and union member in East Grand Rapids. "Instead of trying to get publicity with national barista 're-trainings', Howard Schultz needs to re-train his management team so they quit violating national labor laws."

The new charges include further discrimination of bulletin board usage - a violation of the agreement signed last year. They also include selective punishment of union baristas, scheduling baristas based on their union sympathies, and not allowing union baristas to transfer to other stores.

The IWW Starbucks Workers Union is a grassroots organization of employees at the world's largest coffee chain united for secure work hours and a living wage. The union has members throughout the United States fighting for systemic change at the company and remedying individual grievances with management.

Union baristas, bussers, and shift supervisors have fought successfully for improved scheduling and staffing levels, increased wages, and workplace safety. Workers who join the union have immediate access to co-workers and members of the community who will struggle with them for a better life on the job.

http://www.StarbucksUnion.org

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Judge draws clear line at tip jar in Starbucks case; small California businesses likely to be affected too07:15 PM PDT on Wednesday, April 2, 2008

By LOU HIRSH
The Press-Enterprise

Dipping into its
employees' tip jars could get Starbucks into hot water in other places
besides California, local legal experts said, and similar businesses
will need to take heed of issues raised in the high-profile civil suit
against the coffee giant.

Cynthia Germano, a labor lawyer
with Best Best & Krieger in Riverside, said the Starbucks dispute
puts a spotlight on California laws that have been on the books for
several years.

Judge draws clear line at tip jar in Starbucks case; small California businesses likely to be affected too07:15 PM PDT on Wednesday, April 2, 2008

By LOU HIRSH
The Press-Enterprise

Dipping into its
employees' tip jars could get Starbucks into hot water in other places
besides California, local legal experts said, and similar businesses
will need to take heed of issues raised in the high-profile civil suit
against the coffee giant.

Cynthia Germano, a labor lawyer
with Best Best & Krieger in Riverside, said the Starbucks dispute
puts a spotlight on California laws that have been on the books for
several years.

For Immediate Release:
IWW Starbucks Workers Union

March 19, 2008

Starbucks Shareholders Will Be Greeted with Leaflets
Calling on the Company to Raise Pay

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?"

March 5, 2008

Statement of the IWW Starbucks Workers Union on the
Tragic Death Today of Roger Kreutz

"The IWW Starbucks Workers Union sends its deepest
condolences to the family of Roger Kreutz who suffered
fatal injuries while pursuing thieves who had stolen
tips left for baristas. Starbucks baristas depend on
tips to makes ends meet and Mr. Kreutz's final act was
a heroic and selfless one. Our hearts are with Mr.
Kreutz's family as they grieve this tragic loss."

###

February 28, 2008

by Lisa Baertlein

Starbucks’ decision to close its stores for a few hours of coffee-brewing training on Tuesday got a double shot of media airtime — when it was first announced and the day of the closure — but has it raised the bar on coffee or customer service at the ubiquitous coffee chain’s outlets?

This reporter conducted a highly unscientific poll of five customers, and the exchanges, at a Starbucks in Los Angeles’ downtown, went something like this:

Reporter: “Have you noticed a difference in the quality of your coffee or the customer service today?”

Startled customer: (takes sip of coffee, pauses to ponder flavor) “No.”

Starbucks called the event a success: “We believe that the investment made in this training will have a significant impact on our customers’ experience.”

The fledgling IWW Starbucks Workers Union, however, is in a froth over the training effort — which is part of a plan by returned Chief Executive Howard Schultz to reignite Starbucks’ flagging U.S. growth.

February 29, 2008

by Andrew Clark, The Guardian

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/feb/29/starbucks.useconomy

It was tough - but Americans soldiered on. For three hours on Tuesday afternoon, Starbucks outlets across the nation closed their doors for a mass barista training session aimed at perking up coffee quality. But was this shutdown an espresso masterclass or simply a public relations masterstroke?

Nicknamed "fourbucks" for the hefty price of its brew, Starbucks holds a special place in modern culture. It has injected new words into popular discourse – Frappuccino, half-caff. Apparently a "red-eye" means an extra shot. And to many people, the Italian word "venti" has become an adjective meaning extra large.

Chairman Howard Schultz is anxious to reverse a worrying decline in the average number of transactions per store. Baristas, from now on, will be expected to chat more vigorously to customers rather than preparing drinks in silence.

For Immediate Release:
IWW Starbucks Workers Union

February 26, 2008

Starbucks Baristas Question Substance of National
Shutdown for "Training"

New York, NY- As Starbucks stores around the United
States reopen after a three hour shutdown to train
employees, baristas of the IWW Starbucks Workers Union
are calling into question the efficacy of the event.
Union baristas left the "training" feeling like it was
a public relations event directed at consumers rather
than a bona fide attempt to improve drink quality or
customer service.

“The whole thing seemed a little silly to me,” said
Starbucks barista Peter Montalbano on his way out of
the training. “We supposedly learned how to build a
latte ‘from the espresso up,’- but we’re still pulling
shots from a push-button espresso machine and pouring
them into paper cups for not much above the minimum
wage. It’s difficult to imagine people really caring
about crafting the ‘perfect cappuccino’ if they can’t