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Australian Fighting Union for Retail and Fast Food Workers Rising Up on M17

Submitted by x344543 on Tue, 05/15/2007 - 11:46am

UNITE action against Starbucks

In response to a call from the Starbucks Workers Union (SWU) in the US, UNITE is proud to be participating in an international day of action in solidarity with Starbucks workers on May 17.

UNITE members and supporters will be holding an action outside Starbucks on Swanston Street in the Melbourne CBD. At the store located between Lonsdale and Little Lonsdale streets (across from QV). Please join us between 4pm & 5pm Thursday May 17.

See below for the text of the leaflet UNITE will be handing out on the day. It is based on similar leaflets that will be handed out across the world.

Solidarity with Starbucks workers

Reinstate the SWU baristers now!
Support the right to join a union

May 17th 2007 - International Day of Action in Solidarity with Starbucks Workers

Today Starbucks workers and their allies will take to the streets around the world to demand justice from the world’s largest coffee chain for baristas and coffee farmers.

Three years ago the corporate bosses at Starbucks were sitting pretty on their multi-million dollar fortunes, confident that anti-worker labour laws would continue to ensure a workforce with zero union membership in the United States.

But no matter the constraints, working people will find a way to join hands and struggle for justice until victory. Three years after the founding of the IWW Starbucks Workers Union, the organisation has members in multiple U.S states successfully using direct action to rise out of poverty and articulate an independent voice on the job.

To silence worker voices, Starbucks has disgracefully terminated eight SWU baristas in retaliation for their union activity. The SWU has prevailed against Starbucks to reinstate two of the members but six remain out of a job.

Despite multiple Labor Board complaints, the coffee giant continues to punish baristas for discussing the union and relentlessly forces union-busting propaganda down workers throats. Starbucks must understand that working people of conscience will not allow this affront to the dignity of our class.

Today the UNITE union in Australia is using this international day of action to highlight the way that Starbucks treats its workers and to let Australian fast food and retail workers know that they to can fight back.

Both UNITE and the SWU are struggling not just for ourselves and our families but for every worker at the big brands who are looking for a collective voice and a better life.

Join us today – Contact UNITE on 93281555, email info@unite.org.au or visit www.unite.org.au

To check out the work of the SWU visit www.starbucksunion.org

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