UNITE action against Starbucks : Melbourne Indymedia

UNITE action against Starbucks

In response to a call from the Starbucks Workers Union (SWU) in the US, UNITE is proud to be participating in an international day of action in solidarity with Starbucks workers on May 17.

UNITE members and supporters will be holding an action outside Starbucks on Swanston Street in the Melbourne CBD.
At the store located between Lonsdale and Little Lonsdale streets (across from QV).
Please join us between 4pm & 5pm Thursday May 17.

See below for the text of the leaflet UNITE will be handing out on the day.
It is based on similar leaflets that will be handed out across the world.

Solidarity with Starbucks workers

Reinstate the SWU baristers now!
Support the right to join a union

May 17th 2007 - International Day of Action in Solidarity with Starbucks Workers

Today Starbucks workers and their allies will take to the streets around the world to demand justice from the world’s largest coffee chain for baristas and coffee farmers.

Three years ago the corporate bosses at Starbucks were sitting pretty on their multi-million dollar fortunes, confident that anti-worker labour laws would continue to ensure a workforce with zero union membership in the United States.

But no matter the constraints, working people will find a way to join hands and struggle for justice until victory.
Three years after the founding of the IWW Starbucks Workers Union, the organisation has members in multiple U.S states successfully using direct action to rise out of poverty and articulate an independent voice on the job.

To silence worker voices, Starbucks has disgracefully terminated eight SWU baristas in retaliation for their union activity.
bThe SWU has prevailed against Starbucks to reinstate two of the members but six remain out of a job.

Despite multiple Labor Board complaints, the coffee giant continues to punish baristas for discussing the union and relentlessly forces union-busting propaganda down workers throats. Starbucks must understand that working people of conscience will not allow this affront to the dignity of our class.

Today the UNITE union in Australia is using this international day of action to highlight the way that Starbucks treats its workers and to let Australian fast food and retail workers know that they to can fight back.

Both UNITE and the SWU are struggling not just for ourselves and our families but for every worker at the big brands who are looking for a collective voice and a better life.

Join us today – Contact UNITE on 9 328 1555,
email info@unite.org.au
or visit http://www.unite.org.au

To check out the work of the SWU visit
http://www.starbucksunion.org

Good on yas - keep up the good work, agitating & organising.
Note Spanish language version in second part of this message.

Call to Action for a Day in Solidarity with Starbucks Workers
May 17, 2007

Starbucks workers and their allies will take to the streets around the world to demand justice from the world's largest coffee chain for baristas and coffee farmers. Three years ago the corporate bosses at Starbucks were sitting pretty on their multi-million dollar fortunes, confident that anti-worker labor laws would continue to ensure a workforce with zero union membership in the United States. But no matter the constraints, working people will find a way to join hands and struggle for justice until victory. Three years after the founding of the IWW Starbucks Workers Union [StarbucksUnion.org], the organization has members in multiple U.S states successfully using Direct Action to rise out of poverty and articulate an independent voice on the job.

To silence worker voices, Starbucks has disgracefully terminated eight SWU baristas in retaliation for their union activity. The SWU has prevailed against Starbucks to reinstate two of the members but six remain out of a job. Despite multiple Labor Board complaints, the coffee giant continues to punish baristas for discussing the union and relentlessly forces union-busting propaganda down workers throats. Starbucks must understand that working people of conscience will not allow this affront to the dignity of our class.

On May 17, commemorate the third anniversary of the SWU and stand in solidarity with baristas and coffee farmers with actions in your local community. 1) Hold a spirited protest against Starbucks union-busting, 2) reach out to baristas with a message of support, 3) organize a fundraiser, or 4) choose a different solidarity action. Whatever you do, you'll be part of a global effort challenging the neoliberal logic that places profits over people.

Starbucks workers are struggling not just for ourselves and our families but for every worker at the big brands who are looking for a collective voice and a better life. Join us.

Let us know about actions you are organizing by sending an e-mail to StarbucksUnion@yahoo.com

Please take photos, video, and/or write up a report of your action to share with workers around the world.

Together We Win.

IWW Starbucks Workers Union.

Spanish Language M17 Call to Action for Global Day in Solidarity w/ Starbucks Workers

El Día de Acción Mundial para Apoyar al Sindicato de
Trabajadores de Starbucks

Mayo 17, 2007

Los trabajadores de Starbucks y sus amigos aliados
tomaran a las calles para demandar justicia de la
cadena cafetera mas grande del mundo para
los baristas y granjeros de café.

Tres años atrás los jefes de la corporación Starbucks
estaban despreocupados y sentados muy bonito en sus
fortunas multi-millonarias, confiados que leyes
laborales contra el empleado continuarían
beneficiándoles con una fuerza de empleo sin miembros
de algún sindicato en los EE.UU. Pero aun enfrentando
obstáculos, los trabajadores encontraron la
manera de unirse y pelear por justicia hasta la
victoria. Tres años después de que el IWW Starbucks
Workers Union [StarbucksUnion.org], el sindicato ahora
tiene miembros en varios estados de los EE.UU. que
están usando acción directa para levantarse de la
pobreza y articular una voz independiente en el
trabajo.

Para silenciar las voces de los trabajadores,
Starbucks cometió una terrible desgracia cuando en
venganza despidió a 8 miembros del SWU por estar
activos en el sindicato. El SWU a ganado contra
Starbucks al reinstalar 2 miembros a sus puestos, pero
aun siguen 6 sin trabajo. Aunque existen quejas por
medio del la Junta Nacional de Relaciones del Trabajo,
el gigante cafétero continua maltratando baristas por
platicar
sobre el sindicato. También somete a los trabajadores
a una campaña feroz de propaganda contra el sindicato.
Starbucks tiene que entender que la dignidad de la
clase trabajadora no permitirá sus injusticias.

El 17 de Mayo, conmemora el tercer aniversario del SWU
y demuestra tu solidaridad con baristas y granjeros de
café por medio de acciónes en tu comunidad. 1.)
Protesta con entusiasmo los ataques de Starbucks
contra el sindicato. 2.) Extiende un mensaje de
respaldo a los baristas. 3.) Organiza un evento para
recaudar fondos. 4.) Escoje tu propia manera
de demostrar tu solidaridad. Cual sea lo que hagas,
serás parte de un esfuerzo global que desafía la
lógica neo-liberal en la cual ganancias son mas
importante que la gente.

Los trabajadores de Starbucks estamos en la lucha no
solamente por nosotros y nuestras familias, sino
también por cada trabajador de esas marcas grandes en
las cuales están buscando una voz y una vida digna.
Afiliese a nosotros.

Dejanos saber sobre las acciónes que estas organizando
por medio de un correo electrónico a
StarbucksUnion@yahoo.com

Por favor toma fotos, vídeo o escribe un reporte de tu
acción para compartirla con trabajadores alrededor del
mundo.

Juntos ganamos.
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