The Starbucks campaign sounds like a very exciting movement these days.  However, are you sure that we want to announce the IWW's presence at a shop before we have solid shopfloor organization? Leaving flyers around would tip the boss off to the IWW's presence and then all the workers would get inoculated against us.  This could all go down before we've even met someone who works there. Even worse would be if the workers are already organizing and we come in leaving union lit around and screw up their efforts.

Just a word of caution.

J. Pierce

J,

A point well taken.  Having a contact first seems more logical of course.  Its just that I don't have the time to spend sitting around there trying to make a first contact.  I'm hoping that one of the workers will call the numbers and see the websites first etc and then I will be notified to sign on new members.  Or failing that get an opportunity to meet interested individuals away from starbucks.

Solidarity Forever,

Andrew

I occasionally meet a FOAF that is a starbucks worker, usually because my roommate is an ex-starbucks worker. anyhow, i usually try the "what do you think about the union's latest action/victory/claim/etc against starbucks?" approach, whatever that victory/action/etc might be--the NLRB this week was a good one...but whatever is recent works. I just sort of act like they have already heard of the union so that i would expect they already would know this news. then when I get the "oh really" and "what union?" responses I tell them to check the website.

it usually works pretty well, though i have no idea whether they ever check the website or not. would probably work better with an info card or something so they don't have to just remember it, but starbucksunion.org is pretty rememberable. (um, dumbass, the word is "memorable"...)

they react the way that i want them to, though. they ask for more info, almost invariably.

~the labrat~~~

Thanks for that information I really appreciate it!

Solidarity Forever,

Andrew

An update

For weeks I would go into Starbucks wearing an IWW button or hat and there wouldn't be the slightest sign of recognition by the workers.  Thats even after leaving news items, announcements etc with the IWW logo prominently displayed for a couple weeks around the store.  But today it was different.  When I stood in line there were more glances than normal among the workers at me and the hat I was proudly wearing.  I was very polite, positive, smiling and I was sure to leave a tip.  I also stayed longer than ushual and I watched the employees to see their reactions.  Two out of five employees came from behind the counter out unto the floor with no apparent reason than to quickly glance at me with wide eyes and then go back behind the counter.  Putting it mildly, I do believe that I have made an impact.  Time will tell whether it is positive or negative.  Instead of just being a piece of paper the IWW now has a face to these workers and one which I hope will keep management up at night having them wonder whats happening.  I will continue my presence at this store and show a happy positive face and hope that a brave soul will have the courage to question things and maybe go on line and start the process of empowerment.

I downloaded a flyer about the sacked Union man  at Starbucks, added the URL to  iww.org,  made a stack of copies, and took them to  the 2006 UK Earth First! Gathering.  I asked people to take some, and pass them on to Starbucks workers in their locality, or if they had the time, to hand some out to customers.  Most people only took one, saying they would make copies for redistribution themselves. 

I have not yet ben near a Starbuks, but will  call in when I find one.  Even the best dressed people can be fruitfully approached -  half of them are craft union officials glad of the opportunity to do something real. Even if it is only going to a different coffeeshop. 

What is the Starbuck set up,  are they a franchise like MacDonalds or something else?   Picketing the name is a valid tactic either way, but perhaps the strategy should be different.   

An update

I have made new information handouts that show the positive aspects of unionization and more particularly of the IWW.  Since my schedule has changed I now can drive by the Starbucks a couple of times a day and look for a worker on break in the front and back of the store.  I have struck up three fruitful conversations with workers and I look forward to hearing from them as soon as possible so we can start organizing.

Solidarity Forever!