IWW Starbucks Union Organizer Sarah Bender to Appear on Democracy Now! with Amy Goodman

As the May 17th Day of Action to commemorate the third anniversary of the Starbucks Workers Union approaches, IWW barista Sarah Bender will appear on Pacifica's Democracy Now!.  On Wednesday May 9, Sarah will discuss the IWW's organizing drive at Starbucks and our Justice from Bean to Cup! initiative in the wake of the victory against Starbucks for Ethiopian coffee farmers.

Sarah was fired by Starbucks in retaliation for union activity in 2005.  Far from backing down, Sarah coordinated a grassroots support effort which culminated in a legal victory against Starbucks that won Sarah her job back.  In addition to organizing on the job, Sarah participated in a barista delegation to Ethiopia to build relationships with the coffee farmers growing beans for Starbucks.

The delegation's findings in addition to information on the plight of cafe employees at Starbucks is detailed in the Starbucks 2006 Corporate Irresponsibility Report.

A video from the delegation is also online:

Part I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xTk_LLjxUk

Part II
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9petRD_Zss8 

Find Democracy Now! in your community or listen online at http://www.democracynow.org/

For more information about this campaign, please visit www.starbucksunion.org