Fight Back! News

News and Views from the People's Struggle

starbucks workers united

By Sorcha Lona

Panel discussion on the labor movement and Palestine

Minneapolis, MN – On Thursday, June 27, 25 workers gathered to hear a panel of rank-and-file union members share their experience of bringing Palestine solidarity to the workplace, followed by practical discussions of how attendees can take action to support the Palestine struggle for liberation on the shop floor.

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By Abbey Lodwig

New Orleans Starbucks workers stand outside newly unionized St. Claude store. | Fight Back! News/staff

New Orleans, LA – On February 7, workers at Starbucks on Saint Claude Street won their union election in a 12 to 4 vote. This is the third Starbucks to unionize in New Orleans. Baristas complain of an unsafe work environment, lack of predictable or sufficient hours, and a workplace that is falling apart.

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By staff

Customer signs petition in front of St. Claude Starbucks. | Fight Back! News staff

New Orleans, LA – On September 14, volunteers petitioned outside of five non-union Starbucks to rally customers against the company’s union busting.

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By Jo Hargis

Rayzor Ranch Starbucks workers.

Denton, TX, – On June 30 in Denton, Texas, the Rayzor Ranch Starbucks held a One Year Union Sip-In to celebrate the anniversary of the location’s successful union vote. People entering the store were greeted by a colorful table of activity sheets, community supporters writing messages to the union on a poster board for the break room, and a rainbow birthday cake.

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By staff

Striking Starbucks workers on the picket line.

Minneapolis, MN – Starbucks workers in the Twin Cities area went on strike on Wednesday, June 28 as part of Strike With Pride, a national strike action this week by Starbucks Workers United involving over 150 stores across the country. More than 50 Starbucks workers and supporters turned out to the picket line at the store on Silver Lake Road in Saint Anthony, which borders northeast Minneapolis

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By Jo Hargis

Sip-in shows solidarity with Starbucks union drive.

Dallas, TX – 30 people rallied at the Inwood and Willow Starbucks in North Dallas, May 28, for a sip-in to show solidarity with unionization efforts at the location. During the sip-in, attendees left supportive messages on cash tips using post-it notes, gave names like “Union Strong” when ordering drinks, and left messages of support like “Union organizing is a right” and “Solidarity with Starbucks workers!” on a poster board to be hung in the Starbucks break room.

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By staff

Starbucks workers celebrate after winning election.

New Orleans, LA – On May 22, workers at Starbucks on Poydras Street won their union election in an 11 to 5 vote. This is the second Starbucks to unionize in the state of Louisiana and the first with a majority-Black workplace. Baristas complain of unpredictable schedules, insufficient hours, lack of seniority-based promotions, and unsafe working conditions. On Mardi Gras day, a customer reached across the bar to punch a barista. Corporate only approved that customer’s ban after the union drive began, months later.

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By staff

Poydras Street Starbucks storefront in downtown New Orleans.

New Orleans, LA – On April 14, employees at the Starbucks on Poydras Street filed for a union election with the National Labor Relations Board. The store is located in a downtown hotel building, mainly serving tourists, professionals and workers in the area. Over 70% of staff support unionizing.

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By Sam Keefe

Starbucks workers.

Chicago, IL – On Wednesday, March 22, seven Starbucks stores in Illinois joined around 115 others across the country on strike, demanding an end to the ruthless and illegal union busting campaign being waged by the company against its workers. Five stores in Chicago as well as one in Rockford and one in Carbondale joined their coworkers nationwide in their demand for Starbucks to sit down and bargain in good faith.

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By Jacob Muldoon

Tallahassee, FL – On September 5, Starbucks Workers United (SBWU) and Serenity’s Bartenders United called strikes. SBWU demanded delayed back pay and Serenity’s Bartenders United wanted the reinstatement of a fired manager.

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