Customers support union baristas at New Orleans Starbucks
New Orleans, LA – On September 14, volunteers petitioned outside of five non-union Starbucks to rally customers against the company’s union busting.
Volunteers waved signs and collected signatures for an open letter condemning Starbucks’ repression. They canvassed at the Harrison, Claiborne, Freret, St. Claude, and Terry Parkway locations.
After a nearly two-year organizing wave, Starbucks workers still don’t have a contract. The company has launched the most widespread union-busting campaign in the country. This has included denying benefits to union workers and firing organizers. Despite this, over 350 stores have unionized to date. They’ve won informal concessions in pay, benefits and safety measures.
“Today members from Local 23 New Orleans are supporting Starbucks Workers United in their effort to organize and negotiate for a fair contract, in solidarity,” said Leah Bailey, UNITE HERE! community and political organizer.
Freedom Road Socialist Organization led the local action in response to a national call by Starbucks Workers United.