Unite for Good Jobs at Starbucks
Starbucks Union Action Updates
Steamed Baristas Shut Down Ft. Worth Starbucks Drive-Thru, Demand Affordable Healthcare and Paid Sick Days for Workers with H1N1
Steamed Baristas Shut Down Fort Worth Starbucks Drive-Thru to Demand Affordable Healthcare and Paid Sick Days for those Diagnosed with H1N1
Press Conference: December 18, 12:00 noon, 8th and W. Rosedale Starbucks, Fort Worth
Fort Worth, TX- Baristas and community supporters at the 8th and Rosedale Starbucks shut down the store’s drive-thru this morning and delivered a list of demands including affordable health care options and sick days for those displaying H1N1 or other cold and flu symptoms. Starbucks doubled the cost of the company health insurance plan in September, leaving many workers unable to afford treatment because of sky-high deductibles and premiums.
“We’ve had enough. Baristas should not be forced to expose customers to H1N1 or other contagions and stay sick longer, just in order to be able to make the money they need to support their families and pay astronomical health care costs. We’re making $7.30/hr., that’s a nickel above minimum wage,” said IWW Barista Michelle Cahill.
This is YOUR victory - Starbucks Union Prevails Over Coffee Giant in Court!
Sisters and Brothers,
Going back to 2004 and continuing to the present, you and your labor unions around the world have risen up in solidarity with IWW baristas at Starbucks and against union-busting by the company. Your support and identification with the grassroots struggle of workers at the world's largest coffee chain was instrumental in yesterday's court victory. This is YOUR victory, a victory for all working people. As corporate dominance continues to crumble from Greece to Chicago to Ecuador, please stay with us as we move toward ultimate justice against Starbucks.
The New York Times article on the court victory is here:
December 24, 2008
Starbucks Loses Round in Battle Over Union
By STEVEN GREENHOUSE, New York Times
A National Labor Relations Board judge ruled on Tuesday that Starbucks had illegally fired three baristas and otherwise violated federal labor laws in seeking to beat back unionization efforts at several of its Manhattan cafes.
The administrative law judge, Mindy E. Landow, found that Starbucks had also broken the law by issuing negative job evaluations to union supporters and prohibiting employees from discussing the union even though the employees were allowed to discuss other subjects not related to work.
Squeezed Baristas Shut Down 15th and Douglas Starbucks to Protest Cutbacks
Workers Demand Reversal of Recession Labor Cuts as Starbucks Returns to Profitability
Omaha, NE- Baristas and community supporters shut down the 15th and Douglas Starbucks (SBUX) this morning demanding that management reverse all cuts to healthcare, staffing, and benefits that have been imposed during the recession. The baristas claim that executives have no justification to squeeze working families with Starbucks raking in profits of $977.2 million in the past four fiscal quarters.
“We are being squeezed, and we can't take it any more. Since the recession began, Starbucks executives have ruthlessly gutted our standard of living. They doubled the cost of our health insurance, reduced staffing levels, cut our hours, all while demanding more work from us. Starbucks is now more than profitable again. It's time for management to give back what they took from us,” said Sasha McCoy, a shift supervisor at the store.
Since the onset of the recession, Starbucks imposed a series of deep cuts on its workforce. Starting in 2008 as the economic downturn began, the coffee giant shuttered over 800 stores and slashed over 18000 jobs. The remaining skeleton crew workforce was stretched out, forced to push VIA and other promotional products while keeping the stores running with insufficient staffing levels. CEO Howard Schultz then doubled the cost of the company health insurance plan in September 2009, leaving many workers unable to afford medical treatment because of sky-high deductibles and premiums. While the cuts continue, Starbucks made a record profit of $207.9 million in the last quarter according to company figures.
Call-In/Text-In Action: Demand Starbucks Pay Barista Her Wages!
Fellow Union Members and Friends:
Anna Hurst is a New York City barista, Starbucks Union member, and a single mother of two.
One day in August, Anna went home ill from work at Starbucks. In retaliation, her store manager - abruptly and without notice - denied her any work hours for two full weeks.
Anna needs the money she's owed to put food on the table, pay her bills, and buy Christmas presents for her two children.
Call and/or text message store manager Gwendolyn Krueger today at 551-497-0127 and demand that Starbucks pay Anna what she is owed!
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