Starbucks Workers Union

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The Starbucks Workers Union is a union formed by the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) to organize retail employees of Starbucks Coffee Company. The union has members at Starbucks locations in New York City, Chicago, Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Cincinnati, Ohio.[1]

Contents

[edit] Origin

On May 17, 2004, Starbucks's workers at the 36th and Madison store in midtown Manhattan organized the first Starbucks barista union in the United States. The union drive had its origins in barista's complaints that a starting wage of $7.75 an hour was not a living wage in New York City and that Starbucks refused to guarantee regularity of hours per week. The union has also joined with Global Exchange in calling on Starbucks to purchase at least 5% of the store's coffee from fair trade certified sources. The 12 workers submitted union cards to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for a certification election. Prior to the election, Starbucks filed an appeal with the NLRB, asking that the election be extended to several stores, not the single store that filed for an election. The NLRB agreed to review the appeal and impound the ballots at the Madison Avenue store. The IWW subsequently withdrew the election petition because the appeal could cause a several-year delay in the validation of the election.[2] Starbucks claims the union withdrew due to a lack of interest by Starbucks workers.[3] The IWW usually does not get involved in the NLRB election process, but rather focuses on winning incremental demands on the shop-floor through the practice of "Solidarity Unionism."[4] On this basis, the organizing drive continues at several Starbucks locations. On May 17, 2007 union baristas in Grand Rapids, Michigan announced they also were filing Unfair Labor Practice charges with the NLRB based on Starbucks reaction to the union drive there.

[edit] Legal actions

The union filed an unfair labor practice charge against Starbucks in which it alleged the company prohibited workers from distributing union leaflets or wearing union buttons while they were at work. The company settled the charge with the National Labor Relations Board in March 2006. The company did not admit it had broken the law, but did agree to post notices explaining workers' rights under the National Labor Relations Act at three of its stores. In addition, it was forced to allow two employees to return to work and compensate three workers for lost wages in an amount less than $2,000.[5] The union claims that four of its members have been fired for union activities, a charge the company denies.

On January 14, 2005, charges stemming from a march during the 2004 Republican National Convention were dropped against union co-founder Daniel Gross. Witnesses allege Starbucks's managers coordinated with the NYPD to single out Daniel Gross and another union activist from a crowd of 200 protesters.[6]

In June and August of 2006, several organizers were fired by Starbucks, including union co-founder Daniel Gross who Starbucks claims made a threatening remark to a district manager at a union rally. Gross denies the charge. The NLRB is currently reviewing the circumstances of the dismissals.[7]

[edit] Ongoing campaigns

On Friday, June 16, 2006 the Starbucks employees working at the 135 E. 57th Street store in Manhattan made public their IWW membership and presented a list of demands to management to improve working conditions. This was the 5th Starbucks store in New York to establish a public organizing committee and make collective demands from the company.[8]

Baristas at Chicago’s Logan Square Starbucks store announced on August 29, 2006 their membership in the IWW Starbucks Workers Union, becoming the first U.S. workers outside of New York City to declare union membership. A set of demands was given to the management team including a living wage, guaranteed work hours, reinstatement of IWW baristas allegedly fired for organizing activity, and respect for an independent voice on the job through union membership.[9]

In August, 2006, A group of union members filed a complaint with the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration, alleging that three of Starbucks's Manhattan stores violate basic health standards. OSHA inspected the locations and found no health hazards, vermin-related or otherwise[10]. The group is demanding the company increase staffing levels and provide elbow-length gloves.[11][12]

[edit] Bean2Cup Campaign

The Starbucks Workers Union has a student activism campaign to increase the wages and working conditions of farmers who sell coffee to Starbucks, increase purchasing transparency of Starbucks coffee beans, and raise awareness about the social consequences of drinking Starbucks coffee.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Crains Chicago Business
  2. ^ New York Magazine
  3. ^ Starbucks.comPDF (28.8 KiB) URL last accessed July 3, 2006.
  4. ^ http://www.iww.org/en/organize/strategy/solidarity.html URL last accessed February 15, 2007.
  5. ^ NLRB Settlement
  6. ^ Villagevoice.com URL last accessed July 3, 2006.
  7. ^ Elizabeth M. Gillespie, "Starbucks fires union organizer," Associated Press, August 7, 2006. [1]
  8. ^ New York Press
  9. ^ Crains Chicago Business
  10. ^ Allison, Melissa. "Union struggles to reach, recruit Starbucks workers", The Seattle Times, 2007-01-04. 
  11. ^ Jennifer Fermino, "Starbucks 'Bug' Brew," New York Post, August 17, 2006. [2]
  12. ^ Amy Zimmer, "Baristas balk at roaches, rats in local Starbucks," Metro New York, August 17, 2006. [3]

[edit] External links

Organized Labour Portal