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.

Disclaimer - The opinions of the author do not necessarily match those of the IWW. The image pictured to the right did not appear in the original article, we have added it here to provide a visual perspective. This article is reposted in accordance to Fair Use guidelines.

By Amy Zimmer - Metro New York, APR 4, 2008

MANHATTAN. The lawsuits against Starbucks — still steamed from a recent ruling by a California judge ordering to pay more than $100 million in tips and interests to baristas — are frothing over.

Jeana Barenboim, 22, a former barista at a Forest Hills Starbucks, filed a federal lawsuit against the coffee giant yesterday in the Southern District of New York. A similar suit was filed last week in Boston.

Like the California case, these former baristas claim they were forced to share tips with shift supervisors.

From - starbucksunion.org

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?"

Disclaimer - The opinions of the author do not necessarily match those of the IWW. This article is reposted in accordance to Fair Use guidelines.

February 28, 2008, by Lisa Baertlein - Reuters

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:

Disclaimer - The opinions of the author do not necessarily match those of the IWW. The image pictured to the right appeared in the original article. This article is reposted in accordance to Fair Use guidelines.

Andrew Clark in New York - guardian.co.uk, Friday February 29 2008

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.

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 even afford to pay their bills."