Starbucks Faces Hearing On Egregious Anti-Union Violations
Submitted on Wed, 03/01/2006 - 4:48am
PACK THE HEARING ROOM STARTING MONDAY, MARCH 6TH! STAND WITH IWW BARISTAS AND AGAINST STARBUCKS UNION-BUSTING!
Who:
A judge hearing testimony from senior Starbucks officials and members of the Industrial Workers of the World on allegations of threats, bribes, surveillance, discrimination, and retaliatory discharge of union employees. The IWW Starbucks Workers Union will be represented by its General Counsel, Stuart Lichten, of Schwartz, Lichten & Bright. Starbucks will be represented by Daniel Nash and Gregory Knopp of the corporate firm Akin Gump. Ironically, Nash and Knopp are the very same lawyers who were advising the company during the anti-union campaign that resulted in the federal complaint.
What:
Based on an independent investigation by the National Labor Relations Board triggered by charges from the IWW Starbucks Workers Union, the Government issued a massive complaint against the company outlining widespread lawlessness in the course of its union-busting effort. The hearing could result in sanctions against Starbucks for trampling on workers' right to organize. The hearing is open to the public.
Why:
Because Starbucks has created a company based on the deception that employees are respected and it's time to put this pretense to rest. This is the first time the world's largest coffee chain faces a Labor Board hearing based on its treatment of baristas. The American people for the first time will see the underbelly of this "socially responsible" company and it won't be pretty. Members of the IWW Starbucks Workers Union have fought for and won demonstrable gains in wages and working conditions especially in the area of scheduling security. As more and more baristas decide to go union, an end to Starbucks' relentless and unlawful union-busting campaign is long past-due.
When:
Hearing begins Monday, March 6 at 9:30 a.m. and will continue for at least another day.
Where:
The National Labor Relations Board: 26 Federal Plaza Suite 3614 in Manhattan. Subways: A/C/E/1/2/3 to Chambers, 4/5/6 to Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall, W/N/R to City Hall.