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

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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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?"