Union-Made Lattes (IWW)

Starbucks just lost one case in NY. Michigan and Minnesota are up next. Judge Finds Starbucks Guilty of Union-Busting: http://gothamist.com/2008/12/24/judge_finds_starbucks_guilty_of_uni.php



http://www.inthesetimes.com/article/4103/union_made_lattes

December 22, 2008

By Sam Stoker

On Aug. 31, the light-rail train from Minneapolis to the Mall of America was boisterous. During the ride, several dozen Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) members — known as Wobblies — belted out the radical workers’ anthem “Solidarity Forever” in unison. The reason for their elation was because Erik Forman, 23, was returning to work as a Starbucks barista.

Forman, an IWW organizer, had been fired on July 10, his boss told him, for discussing with co-workers the disciplinary action that was taken against him after showing up late to work. But Forman believes the real reason was because of his outspoken advocacy for the Starbucks Workers Union (SWU) — which is part of the IWW — and says that his termination was an attempt by Starbucks, the world’s largest coffee-shop chain, to bust a growing union movement among its employees.

Forman filed a complaint for illegal termination and anti-union malfeasance with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) a week later. In support, Starbucks’ baristas throughout the Twin Cities signed a petition demanding Forman’s reinstatement. After a series of work stoppages and protests, Starbucks settled the complaint on Aug. 31.

Under the terms of the settlement, the company did not admit guilt or that the IWW’s actions influenced its decision to rehire Forman. But it did agree to reinstate him with back pay for missed time and to post signs in the shop for 60 days, informing workers that management would not interfere with attempts to organize.

More than half of Forman’s shop is now in the IWW — and at the Mall of America the Wobblies were planning “to drink some union-made lattes” in a sign of solidarity.

FULL story at link.

K&R