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.
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.
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 two serious hazards, as well as a number of less serious hazards. The group is demanding the company increase staffing levels and provide elbow-length gloves.
In July 2008, baristas at the Mall of America I Starbucks announced their membership in the union, demanding seniority-based severance pay and the right to transfer for workers at closing stores.
The organizing campaign is ongoing in Minneapolis and cities across the United States, and is growing in Europe and around the world.
In July, 2009, Radio-Canada reported an attempt at unionization by employees of a Starbucks in Québec City, Québec, which was eventually successful.
Read more about this topic: Starbucks Workers Union
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