Starbucks Union - All News

Starbucks baristas union drive comes at key time [City Pages]

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:52:23 -0400

Starbucks baristas union drive comes at key time

The effort to organize local latte-slingers could hurt the ailing chain

By Matt Snyders

published: July 23, 2008, City Pages

It was a typical, busy Thursday afternoon at the Mall of America's first-floor Starbucks, and Erik Forman was four hours into his shift. The slight, 23-year-old barista was soon approached by a vaguely familiar face: Caroline Kaker, the chain's Bloomington-based district manager.

She pulled him aside and led him to the adjacent Barnes & Noble. There, she broke the grim news: You're fired.

Forman was stunned. Sure, two weeks earlier, he had shown up a half-hour late and was issued a written warning. But that wasn't why Forman was getting the ax today. Management decided to deep-six him after learning that Forman had discussed the warning with co-workers.

"Erik violated terms of his June 2008 final written corrective action by discussing it with a peer," reads the notice of separation.

But there was another topic Forman had discussed with peers, one not explicitly mentioned in the write-up: unionizing.

A member of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), Forman had been in the process of organizing his co-workers under the IWW banner for nearly two years.

"It started with workers during their situations during cigarette breaks, during car rides to and from work," Forman recalls. "We first approached the IWW in September of '06. They helped us figure out how to build a strategy."

In 2004, the IWW took on a Starbucks in Midtown Manhattan, with modest success. In the following years, the list of IWW Starbucks Union affiliates grew to include five other shops in New York City; two in Chicago; one in Grand Rapids, Michigan; and one in Rockville, Maryland.

Shortly after the first union sprouted in New York, Starbucks higher-ups exchanged concerned emails, leaked to The Wall Street Journal, about how to handle the epidemic of unionizing. One, dated October 29, 2004, begins with a blunt introduction: "Below is a summary of the recent developments in New York City regarding our attempts to thwart a potential union situation," it reads.

In March 2006, the IWW accused the coffee giant of union-busting and filed a charge with the National Labor Relations Board. Starbucks settled, agreeing to display workers' rights posters in three of its stores and to allow two fired workers back on staff.

"The reasons they gave for firing me were identical to what they did in New York," says Forman, who's also filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board. "This is a pretty blatant example of union-busting. We've been planning on making our movement public for a while—so even though it comes as a blow, it's kind of a galvanizing blow."

On July 11, one day after Forman got clipped, five workers walked off the floor and approached the floor manager, Jason Lyons, with a petition demanding Forman's reinstatement. Lyons told them it was out of his hands.

Now Forman and the IWW stand poised to organize baristas throughout the metro. On Monday, July 21, they went public. Their demands include a living wage, "respectful" scheduling, and an end to the company's alleged union-busting.

Asked about Forman's allegations, a Starbucks spokesperson had little to say.

"We just received the charge [from Forman] and we're reviewing it," says Stacey Krum, on the phone from Seattle. "There's nothing we can offer right now."

The charges clash with Starbucks' image as a corporate paragon of social responsibility. The Seattle-based chain has staked its reputation on progressive values that play well with its well-to-do clientele. Starbucks was listed as No. 7 in Fortune's "100 Best Companies to Work For" this year.

The most frequently extolled of Starbucks' labor practices is its healthcare program. It's one of the few major retailers to provide health insurance to part-time employees. But that comes with a couple of caveats.

First, in order to qualify, workers must log 240 hours per quarter. However, there are no guaranteed hours and many baristas complain of sporadic, unpredictable scheduling. As a result, only 65 percent of Starbucks workers, including management, meet the 240-hour minimum. Many of the remaining workers (particularly part-timers) decide not to buy into the plan; rent payments take priority over premiums.

Consequently, the company's health insurance plan covers less than half (40.9 percent) of employees. As organizers like to point out, that's less than the oft-demonized Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., which covers 47 percent of its workers.

"It's just incredible hypocrisy on this core identity issue," says IWW organizer Daniel Gross. "It's absolutely misleading. It's taken a sub-par program and turned it into a marketing advantage through spin and PR."

Last week, Starbucks released the full list of 600-odd stores expected to close in the coming months, including 27 in Minnesota. Sixteen of the doomed shops sit in the Twin Cities metro.The closings will affect some 12,000 workers nationwide. On Monday, Forman's former co-workers at the Mall of America's Starbucks walked off the floor and issued a letter to management demanding "just treatment of all employees affected by Starbucks' closure of stores nationwide." With an economy seemingly in free-fall and job security plummeting, unionization—for good or ill—enjoys more appeal than it did 10 years ago.

"This will be the biggest fire they've had to put out in a while," says Forman. "The economy is getting worse, people can't get by and are having to work 14-hour days. Management's biggest tool has always been the threat of firing. People are starting to think maybe that's a risk worth taking."

Starbucks Union Baristas Stop Work to Protest Store Closures

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:14:26 -0400

Workers Demand Right to Transfer and Fair Severance for Affected Employees

July 21, 2008

Twin Cities, MN- Baristas at the Mall of America Starbucks walked off the café floor today and delivered a demand letter to management calling for just treatment of all employees affected by Starbucks' closure of stores nationwide. The surprise job action comes in the wake of the coffee giant's announcement that it will close 600 stores, including 27 in Minnesota.

The baristas demanded an option to transfer to other stores and a fair severance package for affected workers. Starbucks reportedly plans to give workers just one month notice before laying them off with a paltry two weeks' pay The company will insist that some baristas transfer and will revoke severance pay if transfer offers are refused.

The protesting baristas are members of the Starbucks Workers Union, which is a campaign of the Industrial Workers of the World labor union. Starbucks previously backtracked on its refusal to disclose which locations would be shuttered after the union and others condemned the company for leaving workers in a nerve-wracking limbo.

The store action makes the Mall of America location the first Starbucks in Minnesota, and the first store in the Mall of America, to have a public union presence.

Erik Forman, a barista at the store recently fired for union activity, said, "With the skyrocketing cost of living, workers have no other choice than to stand up for improvements on the job. The alternative is a continued decline into poverty and a degraded quality of life for working families. But this doesn't have to happen. Our message is hope- even at Starbucks in the Mall of America, we can organize and fight!"

While portraying itself as a 'socially-responsible' employer, Starbucks pays baristas a poverty wage of $7.60/hr. In addition, all retail hourly workers at Starbucks in the United States 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 two complaints against it and is awaiting a decision by a judge in New York on more than 30 additional rights' violations. Starbucks' large anti-union operation is operated in conjunction with the Akin Gump law firm and the Edelman public relations firm.
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The IWW Starbucks Workers Union is a grassroots organization of over 200 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 fighting for systemic change at the company and remedying individual grievances with management. The SWU has been especially active in New York City, Chicago, and Grand Rapids.

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

Global Day of Action Will Protest Starbucks’ Anti-Union Terminations

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 21:17:07 -0400

The Global Day of Action was an unprecedented success! Thank you to each and every participant for the powerful solidarity. Check out http://grsbuxunion.blogspot.com/ for the run-down of events with photos!

For Immediate Release:
IWW Starbucks Workers Union, StarbucksUnion.org

Contact:
Cole Dorsey, IWW Starbucks Workers Union
in Grand Rapids - 616-540-0243

Beltrán Roca Martínez Secretary of
Union Action, Local Federation of CNT - AIT
Sevilla
(0034) 652 037 683

Ratibor Trivunac, Secretariat of the International Workers
Association in Serbia ,
+ 381 - 63 - 263 - 775

Global Day of Action Will Protest Starbucks’ Anti-Union Terminations

Coordinated Actions Across the U.S., Europe, and Latin America Could
Be Largest Ever Against Coffee Chain

Grand Rapids , MI ( 06-30-2008 )- Union members and social activists are gearing up for what may be the largest, global coordinated action against Starbucks ever. Protesters will decry what they see as an epidemic of anti-union terminations by the world’s largest coffee chain. Starbucks and its CEO Howard Schultz have exhibited a pattern of firing outspoken union baristas ever since the advent of the IWW Starbucks Workers Union (SWU) in 2004 and are demonstrating the same practice against the CNT union in Spain.

Starbucks Union Statement on Closure of 600 Stores

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 19:11:19 -0400

For Immediate Release:
IWW Starbucks Workers Union, StarbucksUnion.org

July 1, 2008

Statement of the IWW Starbucks Workers Union on the Announcement of 600 Starbucks Store Closures

"The IWW Starbucks Workers Union is deeply troubled that management's numerous missteps are resulting in more serious hardships for baristas, bussers, and shift supervisors.

To ensure transparency, Starbucks should immediately disclose the locations it intends to close and outline its severance plan. Starbucks and its CEO Howard Schultz must minimize the number of layoffs, assure adequate notice to affected families, and offer severance pay which is fair. Employees and their families deserve to be able to safeguard their futures.

If Starbucks is serious about distinguishing itself from competitors like McDonald's and Dunkin' Donuts, Schultz should stop prohibiting full-time status for retail hourly employees and improve a health care plan which insures a lower percentage of workers than Wal-Mart's. And the company should stop wasting millions of dollars on its union-busting lawyers and PR professionals at Akin Gump and Edelman."

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Starbucks Fires Outspoken Michigan Barista for Union Activity

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 21:06:16 -0400

Grand Rapids firing comes in the midst of Unfair Labor Practice charges being investigated by the NLRB against Starbucks.

Grand Rapids, MI (06/06/2008)- Starbucks terminated a barista active in the IWW Starbucks Workers Union today as part of its ongoing effort to combat a growing movement of employees pushing for a living wage and secure work hours. The barista, Cole Dorsey, was fired after two years of service while he was coordinating a union recruitment drive at Starbucks stores in Grand Rapids. Starbucks' pretext for the illegal anti-union firing was that Dorsey was guilty of some months-old attendance infractions.

"Today I joined the growing number of baristas that Starbucks has fired in its relentless union-busting campaign," said Cole Dorsey. "Starbucks' disrespect for the right to join a union is appalling and absolutely will not stop our efforts to have a voice at work."

The firing comes as a National Labor Relations Board judge is set to rule after a lengthy trial on the retaliatory terminations of three New York City baristas. Even before the firing, the NLRB was investigating whether Starbucks violated a settlement agreement entered into in Grand Rapids over anti-union discrimination. In 2006, Starbucks was forced to re hire two union baristas who had been unlawfully fired for union activity. This latest firing in Grand Rapids signals that reinstalled CEO Howard Schultz will not modify the company's practice of terminating outspoken union baristas to intimidate workers from joining up.

Grand Rapids Starbucks Union and Spanish CNT Announce a Global Day of Action!

Tue, 27 May 2008 15:15:15 -0400

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.

M17: Commemorate the 4th Anniversary of the Starbucks Union and Honor Dr. King

Wed, 07 May 2008 15:16:35 -0400

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.

M17 in NYC: Celebrate the 4th Anniv. of the Starbucks Union at the CEO's New Mansion!

Wed, 07 May 2008 15:13:30 -0400

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!

Video: Grand Rapids Starbucks Union Speaks out on May Day!

Tue, 06 May 2008 18:26:23 -0400

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

Starbucks Union Responds to Anti-Union Intimidation In Grand Rapids, Michigan with More Unfair Labor Practice Charges

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:53:05 -0400

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

###

Union to Share Plan to Improve Customer Service at Starbucks Annual Meeting

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 11:25:57 -0400

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?"

Starbucks Union Mourns the Loss of Good Samaritan

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 17:23:16 -0500

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."

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Starbucks dustup or Much Ado about Nothing? [Reuters]

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:01:12 -0500

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.

Listen, acknowledge, take action [The Guardian]

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 09:14:43 -0500

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.

Starbucks Baristas Question Substance of National Shutdown for "Training"

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 21:22:31 -0500

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