Nationwide action against Starbucks: Nov 24th - 25th
Submitted on Wed, 11/15/2006 - 11:19pm
Starbucks Workers demand the right to Organize
This November 24th-25th, stand in solidarity with Starbucks workers as we call for an end to the anti-union campaign waged by Starbucks and for the reinstatement of all unlawfully fired workers. In addition we are calling on Starbucks to give Ethiopia control over its coffee.
Starbucks workers around the country and the world are organizing to make our jobs better and finally have a real, independent voice at work. A powerful voice that our managers, even the whole company, have no choice but to listen too. By organizing a union baristas in NYC have seen our wages increased, schedules stabilized and respect from our bosses. Over the last two years, however, Starbucks has consistently responded to workers organizing with harassment, intimidation and illegal firings. A National Labor Relations Board settlement was reached in March of 2006 that reinstated two workers and forced Starbucks to pay back wages and change discriminatory policies. The Settlement did little to stop the anti-union campaign and since December of 2005 five workers in NYC were unlawfully fired for engaging in protected union activity.
Joseph Agins fired from Starbucks at 2nd ave and 9th, December 12th 2005
Charles Fostrom fired from Starbucks at 57th and Lexington, July 11th 2006
Evan Winterscheidt fired from Starbucks at 14th and 6th ave, July 18th 2006
Daniel Gross fired from Starbucks at 36th and Madison, August 5th 2006
Isis Saenz fired from Starbucks at 57th and Lexington, November 1st 2006
The IWW Starbucks workers union is calling for action. On November 24th-25th union members and supporters will be taking action to demand reinstatement of all five fired workers and an end to the Anti-union campaign.
The IWW Starbucks Workers Union is building solidarity across the coffee industry. We are calling on Starbucks to sign an agreement that acknowledges Ethiopia's ownership of its coffee names. Securing the rights to names such as Sidamo, Harar and Yirgacheffe would enable Ethiopia's coffee industry and farmers to earn an additional $88 million per year.
- Coffee makes up 40-50% of Ethiopia's export income;
- 15 million Ethiopians are dependent on the coffee trade;
- One in four people live on less than $1 a day and 80% of its people live on less than $2 a day; and
- Ethiopia ranks in the bottom 10 of the UN human development index of income, health and education.
If Starbucks is genuine in its commitment to farmers it will sign the licensing agreement Ethiopia has offered.
for more info visit starbucksunion.org
To get involved in your area please contact:
Eastern US: Tomer (646) 753-1167 [email protected]
Midwest: Joe - (815) 545-5273 [email protected]
Western US: Johannah - (646) 541-8921 [email protected]