Starbucks Union - IWW Starbucks Workers Union

Help the IWW Starbucks Workers Union: Donate Toward Our Upcoming Conference

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 22:33:32 -0400

Dear Friends and Fellow
Workers,

On May 17, 2004, Baristas at one Starbucks in New York City announced
that they had formed a union affiliated with the Industrial Workers of
the World in order to fight for decent wages, consistent scheduling,
sufficient hours, and an end to understaffing in the stores.
Immediately, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz sought to undermine the
workers' solidarity through a campaign of intimidation, threats,
retaliation, spying, and at times, outright bribery. The union took
some hits: over the years, Starbucks fired over a dozen outspoken union
supporters in New York, seeking to destroy the union. But against all
odds, six years later our union is strong and growing. Our unique
Solidarity Unionism approach, developed through the tenacity, courage,
and sacrifice of dozens of union baristas, has enabled us to succeed
where much larger unions have failed. We have established a foothold in
the industry with the lowest union density in the United States. We now
have members across North America, and have established ties with
Starbucks workers across the world.

Help the IWW Starbucks Workers Union: Donate Toward Our Upcoming Conference

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 22:28:39 -0400

Dear Friends and Fellow Workers,

On May 17, 2004, Baristas at one Starbucks in New York City announced that they had formed a union affiliated with the Industrial Workers of the World in order to fight for decent wages, consistent scheduling, sufficient hours, and an end to understaffing in the stores. Immediately, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz sought to undermine the workers' solidarity through a campaign of intimidation, threats, retaliation, spying, and at times, outright bribery. The union took some hits: over the years, Starbucks fired over a dozen outspoken union supporters in New York, seeking to destroy the union. But against all odds, six years later our union is strong and growing. Our unique Solidarity Unionism approach, developed through the tenacity, courage, and sacrifice of dozens of union baristas, has enabled us to succeed where much larger unions have failed. We have established a foothold in the industry with the lowest union density in the United States. We now have members across North America, and have established ties with Starbucks workers across the world.

Until the Final Victory: Celebrating Six Years of the IWW Starbucks Workers Union

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 19:30:23 -0400

The IWW Starbucks Workers Union is proud to celebrate the sixth anniversary of our campaign for fair wages, consistent scheduling, a healthier and safer workplace, and a voice on the job at the world's largest coffee chain. As we enter our sixth year of struggle, we leave behind us a year marked by the continued rapid deterioration of working conditions at Starbucks: the doubling of our health insurance costs, massive layoffs, reduced staffing, and the continued disregard of greedy company executives for the well-being of hard-working Baristas and their families– even as Starbucks achieves record profits of $760.3 million in the last 12 months. This represents a profit of roughly $5354 from each of Starbucks 142,000 workers. Rather than return the wealth of our labor to hard-working Baristas who are living in poverty, Starbucks executives issued the first-ever dividend to shareholders, further enriching the financial class that has driven our world to ruin in the worst economic crisis since 1929. However, even as conditions continue to worsen in corporate management's greed-fueled race to the bottom, our movement for justice at work continues to gather strength. We now take a moment to celebrate our victories as we prepare for the battles to come.

In the past year, we gained members and took action to win our demands and build power on the job on shopfloors across the world. The Starbucks Workers Union expanded to Canada as Baristas in Quebec City joined the IWW in response to Starbucks new Optimal Scheduling system, which forces students to choose between keeping their jobs and staying in school, and pressures working parents to choose between their children and their careers. In the United States, we have continued to gain ground in our fight to defend our right to organize, with Starbucks cornered into signing its sixth settlement agreement with the National Labor Relations Board pledging to end its anti-union misconduct. We gained valuable public support thanks to our new allies at Brave New Films, who launched a social media campaign to raise awareness of Starbucks' repeated and intentional violation for our right to organize. A YouTube video about the Starbucks Workers Union filmed by Brave New Films was viewed over 80,000 times, forcing a response from Starbucks. In New York, Starbucks was hit by yet another NLRB legal complaint, increasing pressure on company bosses to respect our right to association.

Despite continued illegal interference from management, we have forged ahead with organizing efforts, welcoming scores of new members to the campaign and taking numerous direct actions to win gains on the job. In St. Paul, MN, the Starbucks Workers Union sprang to the defense of wrongfully-fired Barista Azmera Mebrahtu as she was unjustly targeted by Partner & Asset Protection. In Fort Worth, TX, union Baristas took direct action to demand the right to call in sick when they were forced to work with H1N1 symptoms, as well as to highlight Starbucks' decision to line executives pockets by doubling our healthcare costs. In New York City, baristas called on Starbucks executives to end their hypocrisy and honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by offering holiday pay on MLK Day. We stood up for the right of all workers to a workplace free to sexual harassment by standing with barista Kati Moore in her battle with the company over their support for a supervisor who repeatedly coerced her into sex. Unfortunately, we found that tolerance of sexual harassment has its roots high in the corporate hierarchy at Starbucks. Our public stance in support of Kati Moore inspired high-level managers to expose the pattern of sexual harassment and abuse engaged in by Starbucks Regional Vice President Andrew Alfano.

Looking back, we are horrified by the intensifying cycle of exploitation and abuse that corporate management is unleashing on workers at Starbucks. But looking ahead, we are confident that our movement will continue to gain strength. Our struggle for an independent voice on the job will end in triumph for Starbucks workers.

Until the final victory!

Kati Moore Inspires Starbucks District Managers to Expose High-Level Sexual Harassment

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 08:44:42 -0500

UPDATE: Following our disclosure of the District Managers' letter, Starbucks has been forced to address the issue publicly for the first time. Contrary to its claim, it appears that the company is in fact not taking the complaints from the DMs seriously. Here is Starbucks' short statement:

"Starbucks takes any accusations such as these very seriously. When we were made aware of these claims, we immediately began a thorough internal investigation as per our standard practice. We have found the claims to be without merit."

For Immediate Release:
IWW Starbucks Workers Union

February 11, 2010

Howard Schultz Still Silent Amid Growing Evidence of a Hostile Work Environment

New York, NY- In a risky departure from the normal chain of command, a group of Starbucks district managers have authored an impassioned letter to top executives in Seattle demanding that action be taken against a company vice president allegedly engaged in pervasive sexual harassment.

The letter, which was made available to the IWW Starbucks Workers Union, alleges that Regional Vice President Andrew Alfano has created an unsafe work environment with his behavior and is responsible for the departure of two female regional directors, among many other troubling charges.

The district managers are demanding disciplinary action against Mr. Alfano, a favorite of top company brass, and state that they were compelled to act after a widely-watched 20/20 segment aired on Starbucks barista Kati Moore who was repeatedly raped by her supervisor and then subjected to intimidation tactics from Starbucks' lawyers.

The SWU has made the letter available on its website.

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Statement of Solidarity with Kati Moore, barista that was sexually assaulted by her supervisor while Starbucks did nothing

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 07:37:05 -0500

STATEMENT OF SOLIDARITY WITH KATI MOORE
from the IWW Starbucks Workers Union

Kati Moore is a hero.

We, as workers at Starbucks, stand in complete solidarity with former barista, Kati Moore. Kati, at 20 years old, has far more integrity than the 56 year-old billionaire, Starbucks' CEO, Howard Schultz. She has taken a fierce stand on behalf of every worker who has been made to feel that they were merely the sexual property of an abusive, manipulative employer. When Kati came forward, we felt that she did so in an effort to protect each and every barista at Starbucks, and every underage employee working in retail, from experiencing her pain. We hope that her courage will give others the strength to speak up, and the strength to fight back when they feel they are at their weakest. Kati's experience shows us that we CAN stare down corporations like Starbucks and declare that we deserve to feel safe at work, that we deserve respect, and that we, if victimized, are not alone.

Statement of Solidarity with Kati Moore, barista that was sexually assaulted by her supervisor while Starbucks did nothing

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 07:37:05 -0500

Baristas Call on Starbucks to Honor Dr. King with March and Rally

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 16:59:30 -0500

For Immediate Release:
Industrial Workers of the World (NYC)

January 18, 2010

IWW demands that coffee giant pay workers the same premium it pays on other federal holidays

New York, NY- The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) branch here held a march and rally at Starbucks today to call on the corporation to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the federal holiday commemorating his birth. The Starbucks Workers Union of the IWW is demanding that Starbucks pay a holiday premium to baristas who work on MLK Day just as the Seattle-based chain does for five other federal holidays.

“Starbucks claims to support diversity with 'the idea of inclusion,' but the company effectively treats MLK Day as a second class holiday,” said Henry Marin, a Starbucks barista and member of the union. “It is truly a dishonor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and to the values and ideals that he represents.”

The union rallied outside of the Union Square East Starbucks location with supporters and the Rude Mechanical Orchestra marching band. In between speakers, supporters chanted phrases such as “overpriced coffee, underpaid workers” and “no union, no latte.”

Year of Legal Losses for Starbucks is Capped Off with Another Union Victory

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 21:23:02 -0500

Statement of the IWW Starbucks Workers Union

December 30, 2009

Less than two months after a legal defeat in a high-stakes appeal, Starbucks is settling charges of further workers' rights violations committed against baristas organizing with the Industrial Workers of the World for secure work hours, affordable health care, and respect on the job.

After an independent investigation, Region 2 of the National Labor Relations Board in Manhattan brought a complaint against the fast food coffee chain for illegally suspending and reprimanding a barista who stopped work to participate in a union protest; interrogating baristas about their union activity; and tearing down union flyers from company bulletin boards.

This victory should send a message to all working Americans that stopping work to protest alongside fellow workers for fairness on the job is activity protected under federal law.

Earlier this year, Starbucks suffered similar legal losses in Michigan and Minnesota in addition to its defeat at the National Labor Relations Board in Washington, D.C.

While the union is pleased that Starbucks is being held accountable, it won't be joining the pending settlement between the company and the government because we prefer trials in open court where the public can get their own look at CEO Howard Schultz's relentless union-busting operation.

The IWW Starbucks Workers Union is a grassroots organization of baristas, bussers, and shift supervisors united for a living wage, secure work hours, and affordable health care at the world's largest coffee chain. The union enjoyed robust membership growth around the United States and expanded to Canada this year. Earlier this month, the union welcomed its newest members, from Fort Worth Texas, with a spirited protest action for affordable health care.

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Steamed Baristas Shut Down Fort Worth Starbucks Drive-Thru, Demand Affordable Healthcare and Paid Sick Days for those with H1N1

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:17:45 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
IWW Starbucks Workers Union (Industrial Workers of the World)
Contact: Michele Cahill, 817-368-5892

December 18, 2009

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.

The protesting baristas are members of the Starbucks Workers Union, which is an international campaign of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) labor union. The store action makes the 8th and Rosedale location the first Starbucks in Texas to have a public union presence.

Baristas decided to move toward unionization after many workers were forced to continue working while displaying intense H1N1 and other flu symptoms, enhancing the likelihood of spreading the flu virus. The baristas are demanding that those who display H1N1 or other cold and flu symptoms be excused from work with pay to avoid exposing customers to Swine Flu.

Casey Keeling, another union barista at the store, said, “Watching our coworkers be forced to serve customers while they were sick with H1N1 was the last straw. Something needs to change- in our workplace and in this country. We have decided to form a union to fight for affordable health insurance, paid sick days, a fair wage, and secure work hours. And they could at least give us a first aid kit for the store.”

While portraying itself as a ‘socially-responsible’ employer, all of Starbucks' retail hourly workers in the U.S. are part-time employees with no guaranteed number of work hours per week. According to Starbucks figures released to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 40.9% of its employees (including managers) are covered by the company health care package, a lower percentage than the oft-criticized Wal-Mart, which insures 47% of its workforce.

Since the launch of the IWW campaign at Starbucks on May 17, 2004, the company has been cited multiple times for illegal union-busting by the National Labor Relations Board. The company settled numerous complaints against it and a judge's guilty verdict on more than 30 additional rights’ violations was recently upheld on appeal by the Board in D.C. Starbucks’ large anti-union operation is headed by CEO Howard Schultz and operated in conjunction with the Akin Gump law firm and the Edelman public relations firm.

The IWW Starbucks Workers Union is a grassroots organization of over 300 current and former 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 and Canada fighting for systemic change at the company and remedying individual grievances with management.

Union baristas, bussers, and shift supervisors have fought successfully toward 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.

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www.StarbucksUnion.org

Have You Been Interrogated by Starbucks 'Partner & Asset Protection'? Get in Touch!

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:55:23 -0400

We are looking for current and former Starbucks employees who have been interrogated by Partner & Asset Protection. There is mounting evidence that Starbucks' use of harsh police-style interrogation tactics has lead to numerous false confessions, which Starbucks has then used to terminate or extort 'restitution' from employees. If this has happened to you or you know of such an incident please contact starbucksunion@yahoo.com. We are particularly interested in hearing from victims of interrogations in Northern California. We are gathering testimonials from impacted workers to prepare a potential class action lawsuit against the company. Your inquiry will remain confidential.

Demand Justice for Aizze! Defend an Immigrant Worker Unfairly Targeted by Starbucks

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:11:26 -0400

Ask anyone and they’ll tell you that Aizze was the best barista at the Snelling & Selby Starbucks in St. Paul, MN. She knew every regular's drink and could make a latte in 28 seconds. She has 20 MUG awards for her job performance, and was never written up in her two years of service, nor was her till ever ‘over’ or ‘short.’ Her coworkers and customers loved her; they called her 'Aizze' (pronounced 'Ozzie'), short for Azmera. This description is in the past tense because Starbucks wrongfully fired Aizze on July 8, 2009. Starbucks management accused her of theft, although they themselves ADMIT that they have no video or other evidence to support their accusation.

Adding insult to injury, Saint Paul District Manager Claire Gallagher took advantage of Aizze’s limited English abilities and bullied and manipulated her into signing a promissory note saying she would pay Starbucks the arbitrarily- determined amount of $1200. Acting through the notoriously anti-worker law firm Olonoff, Asen & Serebro,. LLP, Starbucks has since sent Aizze a letter threatening to send their baseless claim to a collections agency.

IWW Starbucks Union Condemns Starbucks Doubling Health Insurance Costs

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:39:32 -0400

For Immediate Release:

IWW Starbucks Workers Union
Media Contacts:
Aaron Kocher - 612-220-6454
Liberte Locke - 917-693-7742

July 28, 2009

IWW Starbucks Union Condemns Starbucks Doubling Health Insurance Costs
Health Coverage Cuts Come Amidst Soaring Profits

Starbucks, amid massive profits, announced on Monday that it will slash employee health care benefits. The company announced that premiums for its most economical employee health care package will nearly double, along with across the board increases in out-of-pocket expenses. This slap in the face to workers comes just one week after the announcement of $151 million in profits for the quarter, far exceeding internal and Wall Street expectations.

These cuts are an insult to Starbucks workers, and the thousands of workers who have been laid off in the last year. The increased costs of health benefits will be a barrier to many workers thinking of enrolling, forcing them to make the hard decision between health care coverage and feeding their families.

Starbucks Workers Union Gains Momentum as Campaign Expands to Canada

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:54:27 -0400

Contacts:

Simon Gosselin, IWW Starbucks Workers Union, Quebec - 418-265-2017
Aaron Kocher, IWW Starbucks Workers Union, USA - 612-220-6454

July 16, 2009

Quebec City Starbucks Baristas Steamed over New Scheduling Demands

Quebec City, Canada – Steamed over unreasonable new scheduling demands and deteriorating working conditions, baristas at the Germain-de-Prés Avenue Starbucks filed for union accreditation Monday, becoming the first store in Canada to affiliate with the Starbucks Workers Union, a campaign of the Industrial Workers of the World labor union. The Labor Relations Commission of Quebec will grant the union accreditation after verifying their authorization cards in the next few days.

Policy changes related to Starbucks’ new “Optimal Scheduling” program, one of a slew of recent schemes intended to slash labor costs, provided the main impetus for unionization. Under the new policy, Starbucks requires nearly around-the-clock availability from workers, while refusing to guarantee a single work hour each week.

"Starbucks workers have no job security and make a poverty wage, but at least until now, the hours were flexible, which was convenient for the many students who work here," said Simon Gosselin, a member of the union in Quebec City. "These policy changes would force our six shift supervisors, who are students as well, to take demotions, and a 10% pay cut.”

NLRB approves Starbucks Minneapolis settlement [AP]

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:05:17 -0400

By LAUREN SHEPHERD, Associated Press

06.03.09

NEW YORK -- The National Labor Relations Board said Wednesday it approved a settlement with Starbucks Corp. that explicitly states Minneapolis-area baristas can discuss union issues while on the job.

According to the settlement, Starbucks will post a notice in stores telling baristas the company will not remove union postings and will not prohibit union supporters from discussing the union while at work.

The settlement follows allegations that Starbucks' policy on posting materials and soliciting employees was being enforced differently in certain stores and by certain store managers.

Faced with Growing Uproar, Starbucks Settles Sixth Labor Complaint

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 18:33:33 -0400

Mounting Rights Violations Fan the Flames of Escalating Public Outcry

IWW Starbucks Workers Union

June 1, 2009

Minneapolis, MN– The Starbucks Coffee Co. settled a complaint today from the National Labor Relations Board over charges of violating workers’ rights --- the sixth such settlement in three years for the ailing coffee giant. The case comes as a new website (StopStarbucks.com) and viral video calling on CEO Howard Schultz to respect workers’ right to join a labor union spread like wildfire across the Internet. The new media initiative, from Robert Greenwald’s “Brave New Films”, has already been viewed over 60,000 times with a related petition garnering almost 15,000 signatures.

“This settlement proves that Starbucks executives are not above the law and cannot block hard working baristas from making positive change,” said Angel Gardner, a barista and member of the Starbucks Workers Union in the Twin Cities. “How can Starbucks claim that it maintains a positive work environment when one labor case after another exposes its lack of respect for employees?”