PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

Nationwide & Pgh Action to Challenge Starbucks: Nov. 24-25
by Starbucks Workers Union Thursday, Nov. 16, 2006 at 4:50 PM
PghStarbucksUnion@yahoo.com

Background on nationally planned and local actions to protest Starbucks union-busting

(For information on planned actions in Pittsburgh, please contact: PghStarbucksUnion@yahoo.com )

Nationwide action against Starbucks: Nov 24th -25th

Starbucks Workers demand the right to Organize


This November 24th-25th, stand in solidarity with Starbucks workers as we call for an end to the anti-union campaign waged by Starbucks and for the reinstatement of all unlawfully fired workers. In addition we are calling on Starbucks to give Ethiopia control over its coffee.

Starbucks workers around the country and the world are organizing to make our jobs better and finally have a real, independent voice at work. By organizing a union baristas in NYC have seen our wages increased, schedules stabilized and respect from our bosses. Over the last two years, however, Starbucks has consistently responded to workers organizing with harassment, intimidation and illegal firings. A National Labor Relations Board settlement was reached in March of 2006 that reinstated two workers and forced Starbucks to pay back wages and change discriminatory policies. The Settlement did little to stop the anti-union campaign and since December of 2005 five workers in NYC were unlawfully fired for engaging in protected union activity.

Joseph Agins fired from Starbucks at 2nd ave and 9th, December 12th 2005

Charles Fostrom fired from Starbucks at 57th and Lexington, July 11th 2006

Evan Winterscheidt fired from Starbucks at 14th and 6th ave, July 18th 2006

Daniel Gross fired from Starbucks at 36th and Madison, August 5th 2006

Isis Saenz fired from Starbucks at 57th and Lexington, November 1st 2006

The IWW Starbucks workers union is calling for action. On November 24th-25th union members and supporters will be taking action to demand reinstatement of all five fired workers and an end to the Anti-union campaign.

The IWW Starbucks Workers Union is building solidarity across the coffee industry. We are calling on Starbucks to sign an agreement that acknowledges Ethiopia’s ownership of its coffee names. Securing the rights to names such as Sidamo, Harar and Yirgacheffe would enable Ethiopia’s coffee industry and farmers to earn an additional $88 million per year.

• Coffee makes up 40-50% of Ethiopia’s export income;

• 15 million Ethiopians are dependent on the coffee trade;

• One in four people live on less than $1 a day and 80% of its people live on less than $2 a day; and

• Ethiopia ranks in the bottom 10 of the UN human development index of income, health and education.

If Starbucks is genuine in its commitment to farmers it will sign the licensing agreement Ethiopia has offered.

for more info visit http://www.starbucksunion.org or email starbucksunion@yahoo.com

Locally, e-mail: PghStarbucksUnion@yahoo.com

protest Starbucks = starving Ethiopian’s
by protest Starbucks = starving Ethiopian’s Thursday, Nov. 30, 2006 at 4:19 AM
protest Starbucks = starving Ethiopian’s.org

Coffee makes up 40-50% of Ethiopia’s export income;
Ethiopia ranks in the bottom 10 of the UN human development index of income, health and education.

protest Starbucks = starving Ethiopian’s

Yes, Protest Starbucks
by Reality Check Friday, Dec. 01, 2006 at 2:29 PM

Protesting starbucks is not going to hurt Ethiopians. In fact, if we do nothing to gain power and influence over Starbucks' corporate imperialism, then Ethiopians are going to get hurt as Starbucks, like all of these capitalist giants repeatedly show us, is going to force farmers into "take it or leave it" agreements that protect and maximize corporate profits over such petty things as workers rights, cultural heritage, local market autonomy and fair trade principles, etc. Think this will not happen? Ever hear of Walmart?

Wal-Bucks???
by soy latte Tuesday, Dec. 05, 2006 at 11:05 AM

Starbucks sells coffee and treats. Wal-Mart is in the business of selling everything at rock bottom prices. I highly doubt that Starbucks is going to become the next Wal-Mart. It must be nice to have this much free time.

Capitalism's need to dominate markets
by Radical Economics 101 Wednesday, Dec. 06, 2006 at 5:12 PM

Oh yeah, the world's largest global retail coffee company won't affect global coffee markets. Like Wal-Mart's wholesale pricing policies hardly affected world production and retail markets. Hmmmm. I guess companies doing business with Wal-Mart just decided to lower their wholesale prices for the fun of it. Surely they weren't "forced" to provide their products at cheaper cost to Wal-Mart, were they?