Starbucks

Excerpted from Work News for Week Ending May 23 - By Brendan Coyne, The New Standard. 

In a show of solidarity, members of the (Industrial) Workers of the World (IWW) and their supporters last week wandered into Starbucks shops across the nation, as well as in Canada and the United Kingdom, to talk with employees about unionizing. The volunteer outreach effort was conducted as part of the Starbucks Workers Union’s two-year anniversary.

Manhattan Starbucks workers have been battling the coffee-dispensing chain for over two years. In complaints filed with the National Labor Relations Board, SWU members said management has attempted to coerce, bribe and otherwise intimidate workers trying to organize. The union alleges the company’s efforts included firing two workers for their pro-union activities and keeping files on union activists.

Earlier this month, the NLRB signed off on a settlement under which Starbucks promises not to interfere with organizing efforts. As part of the agreement, Starbucks is to offer to reinstate the two dismissed employees, Sarah Bender and Anthony Polanco. In addition, the company has to pay three employees back-pay and post a notice affirming its commitment to workers’ rights. Under the settlement terms, Starbucks admits no guilt.

New York, NY- Industrial Workers of the World members and supporters entered Starbucks cafes today in cities across the United States, Canada, and the British Isles to inform workers about their right to form a union. The union members highlighted gains in wages, security of hours, and respect on the job won by baristas who have already joined the IWW. The Day of Action commemorates the second anniversary of the founding of the IWW Starbucks Workers Union on May 17, 2004. Since 2004, baristas have improved their life at work through direct action on the job and in the community despite an illegal anti-union campaign waged by Starbucks and its Chairman Howard Schultz.

“Our message for our co-workers is simple: the IWW Starbucks Workers Union is here to help,” said Suley Ayala, a Starbucks barista and IWW member in New York City. “Employees don't have to go through the indignities of working at Starbucks alone anymore-together we'll continue our march toward a living wage, guaranteed work hours, and most importantly, respect.”

By CYDNEY GILLIS - Staff Reporter; reposted from RealChangeNews.Org, March 9, 2006.

Starbucks settled 15 charges of unfair labor practices in New York Tuesday — a move the Industrial Workers of the World are hailing as a victory in their drive to unionize the coffee’s giants baristas.

The Wobblies say Starbucks agreed to reinstate two union members who had lost their jobs — Sarah Bender and Anthony Polanco — and stop interfering with union organizing activities.

The settlement is so complete, says one IWW member, it’s a virtual “neutrality agreement” that sets the stage for the union to expand its efforts.