St. Paul, MN – At 7 a.m., April 20, over 300 nursing home workers from five nursing homes walked off the job and began a three-day strike. The striking workers are represented by SEIU Healthcare Minnesota and Iowa and have been in negotiations for their next union contracts.

The strike includes workers from Cerenity Care at Humboldt, which is owned by the Benedictine Living chain, as well as workers from Estates of Saint Louis Park, Estates of Fridley, Estates of Roseville and Estates of Excelsior, all of which are owned by Monarch Healthcare Management.

The workers are striking for higher wages, safe staffing, better benefits and because that management has not bargained in good faith throughout contract negotiations, for which the union has filed unfair labor practice charges.

Rhonda Little is a striking worker and lead cook who has worked at Cerenity Care at Humboldt for ten years. Speaking on the picket line, Little said, “We want more money. We want safe staffing and we want to keep our PTO. We are bargaining for a new contract and it is not going very well because our management doesn’t want to move, they don’t want to do anything, they want to just stay at 1.5% [pay increases] and we’re worth way more than that.”

Little has been on strike three times in her ten years at Cerenity but says that this time, “The entire management team are different, even corporate are different. So it’s a whole different way of fighting now and their answers to everything is just ‘no’ instead of trying to compromise to a deal. Our strike, I think a lot of it is about respect. Care for your employees as much as we care for the residents. We have been called heroes, during COVID right, we are called heroes because we care for people, we are taking care of human beings, but we are paid like we are dog walkers, so yes it its about money but the bottom line is respect.”

This strike is a three-day strike set to end on Wednesday April 22, however when asked what they will do if management doesn’t come back to the table and bargain in good faith Little said, “Push for another strike and push them for more!”

#StPaulMN #MN #Labor #Healthcare #Nursinghome #Strike #SEIUHCMNIA #SEIU #Featured

Englewood, CO – On April 1, teachers and faculty across five schools of the Sheridan School District went on strike demanding union recognition and the reinstatement of their contract. Over 100 teachers, faculty and community members walked the picket lines demanding that the school district come back to the table for negotiations.

Tensions rose earlier this year when the school district passed a policy that stated they would not recognize staff without licenses in the union. That means school custodians, paraprofessionals on staff, bus drivers – workers who all keep the district’s schools running and operational – were not able to join. When contract negotiations fell apart, 98% of members voted to strike. While the Sheridan School District initially claimed that schools would stay open while the strike was ongoing, the school district was forced to cancel classes through the end of the week due to low staffing.

Kate Biester, president of the Sheridan Educators Association, reflecting on the start of the strike, said, “When we lost our contract for the teachers, it also lost what the district was giving in good faith to the rest of their workers – and we decided that wasn't good enough anymore. And we need to fully enfranchise all of the workers in our school district and give them all bargaining rights.”

According to the union, students and the local community have been very important every step of the way. Earlier this year, high school students in Sheridan School District walked out in support of the teachers, and elementary school students helped chant alongside their teachers.

“There's always been kind of like an undercurrent of community members, parents, students, really trying to make significant change in this community,” Biester said, ”And I feel like right now it's just all coming to a head, all the work we've done in different spaces over the last few years is showing up all at once.”

On day two of the strike, organizers hosted a car rally, driving by the district’s administration building with a truck from members of Teamsters Local 455 leading the way in solidarity.

Members of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) showed up in solidarity as well, decorating cars for the car rally. Circe Conway, an FRSO general member and former Starbucks Workers United organizer pointed out, “The more people that join the union, the more people that are eligible for and benefit from the union, the more powerful it’s going to get, and that builds a lot of worker power.”

After the car rally, workers went back to their strike shifts one more time before closing the day out in high spirits.

#EngelwoodCO #CO #Labor #Sheridan #Educators #Strike #Featured

San Jose, CA – On March 18, over 300 members of the National Union of Healthcare Workers, which includes mental health professionals, clinicians and therapists, participated in a one-day strike at the Santa Clara Medical Center. The action was part of a larger strike across Northern California, which included over 2400 workers.

“We’re really trying to keep Kaiser accountable,” union member Ania Saeger said. “Our contract expired last September, and we're not making a lot of progress in the negotiation, especially around the language, with artificial intelligence, collaboration and really protections for our jobs.”

A reason for the strike was Kaiser’s improper implementation of artificial intelligence. For those in mental health, contact and a relationship between the patient and the counselor is crucial. Saeger explained how AI disrupts this relationship, stating, “You used to be able to call if you were a patient, [when you] needed something. We have this position that we rotate throughout the day, a counselor that is available throughout business hours. Kaiser changed it. They developed this call center where you cannot call the clinic directly. Patients are redirected and get frustrated; they either get a phone operator or AI to answer.”

Saeger emphasized that while the counselors and therapists were not opposed to AI assisting their jobs, they wanted assurances in the language of their contract that AI would not replace their jobs. This is language that Kaiser has refused to implement in their negotiations.

When asked how community members could support the NUHW in their contract struggle, Saeger answered, “Our patients have been instrumental to this movement. We have patients speak at our rallies. As human beings, we can relate stories, so we want our patients to get their stories out there.”

The strike also included a program at which the California Nurses Association, another union striking in solidarity, spoke. Pomaikai Neil, a nurse and representative of that union stated, “Kaiser wants to save money on the backs of healthcare workers. As registered nurses, we feel the pressure to work harder with less resources every time we miss our meal breaks, when we are told we will do the same job with less staff, or when we do grueling 16 hour shifts to make sure our patients are safe.”

Neil also stressed the issues posed by AI in the mental health field. “Imagine sharing your emotional information with your therapist and having them ask you if an artificial intelligence device can join in? Heavy usage of artificial intelligence can exacerbate psychosis and create dangerous relationships with unregulated technology.”

Neil continued, “The hallmark of mental health is human connection. A robot cannot learn empathy. CNA nurses stand with NUHW in their fight against the unilateral implementation of AI and we demand that Kaiser address the limited access to safe care by investing in staffing.”

NUHW and CNA are some of the many unions locked in struggle with Kaiser. Their demands surrounding AI are reflective of modern concerns around technology now melding with decades-long labor struggle. So long as Kaiser continues with further usage of AI and cost cutting around staffing, the labor struggle across different sectors of healthcare is sure to only heat up further.

#SanJoseCA #CA #Labor #Strike #Healthcare #NUHW #CNA #

Greeley, CO – JBS Greeley workers are starting the first weekend of their strike strong, with over 1000 picketing outside the meatpacking plant on March 20.

United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 7 union members and JBS workers alike wrapped around the block outside the JBS factory on Friday. People crowded along the barrier on 8th Avenue and danced to music in Spanish and English, forming conga lines with supporters and strike marshals.

In December 2025, Haitian immigrant JBS employees, who comprise a large number of night shift plant workers, filed a class action lawsuit against the meatpacking company for dangerous working and living conditions, after being recruited under false pretenses.

When they were hired, JBS promised free housing and fair pay; instead, Haitian employees had to pay out of pocket to live with 20-30 people in a single motel room and get paid meager wages to meet dangerously high processing quotas.

Since the lawsuit was filed, conditions have only gotten worse. JBS has sped up production for members across the factory – so much so that employees aren’t getting the 40 hours of work a week that they were promised, according to a shop steward. Workers also must use dull knives to cut beef.

UFCW Local 7 has been negotiating with JBS since May 2025, and their contract ended in July. After nearly ten months of unsuccessful negotiations, over 90% of all workers in the plant voted to strike, which began on March 16.

Hundreds of non-workers and their families have also shown up to support the struggle against JBS.

“I was taught growing up, you pick a side and stand with it and that’s what I’m doing,” said one of the political coordinators of the strike, “fighting along my brothers and sisters who don’t have the support structure I have, but deserve a chance at the American dream.”

#GreelyCO #CO #Labor #Strike #UFCW

Los Angeles, CA – Over 30,000 members of United Teachers of Los Angeles (UTLA), SEIU 99, and Associated Administrators of Los Angeles (AALA) came together in downtown Los Angeles at a rally on March 16 in a powerful display of unity, demanding the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) shift their budget priorities and agree to a decent contract. If the district does not settle the contract, teachers, school staff and administrators are prepared to strike on April 14.

LAUSD is the second largest school district in the nation. The district has had a proposal for a contract for over a year and has not offered any reasonable offer to address union demands. Key issues include increasing salaries, reducing class sizes and improving staffing levels.

According to UTLA, “LAUSD started off the school year with $5.03 billion in reserves. Since 2022, they’ve committed $10 billion to multi-year private contracts.”

“This would be my first ever strike,” commented LAUSD middle and high school teacher Kate Regan. “I love teaching – it is my dream job. I want the district to respect my work and my students by offering a contract that is fair – I am more than ready to strike to make that a reality. Defending public education is incredibly important.”

Centro CSO members rallied in solidarity carrying a large banner with the slogans support public education and support all education workers.

Antonieta Garcia co-chair of the education committee for Centro CSO commented, “We need to unite and support UTLA/SEIU 99, they represent our public education system.”

#LosAngelesCA #CA #Labor #UTLA #SEIU #AALA #Strike #Teachers

Greeley, CO – On March 16, 3800 members of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 7 went on strike at the JBS meatpacking plant in Greeley, Colorado. The union members walked out of their shift at 5:30 a.m. to picket the plant.

This strike marks the first time in over 40 years that workers at a major meat packer went on strike for a better contract. This came after management’s final offer of a 30-cent raise, with 22 cents going towards healthcare benefits. Workers were dissatisfied with all offers from the company’s side, and 99% authorized to strike.

At least 1200 members walked the picket line the morning the strike started. Chants were being yelled out to the crowd, including “When we fight, we win” and “Sí se puede.” Union staffers and organizers kept members in high morale with hand warmers and water, and kept the crowd organized with megaphones, directing members to strategic areas around the plant.

Leticia Avalos, a member of UFCW Local 7, said, “Most of all, the strike is to make a statement to the company, that their members are tired of the mistreatment that they get – because not only is it in the contract or some safety issues they [the company] have been doing, but also the treatment that [workers] get. They get yelled at, they’re told that they have to wait to go to the restroom, and when you have to go you have to go.”

Members also cited other issues of safety, including a short supply of safety equipment supplied by the company with members having to purchase it themselves to stay safe.

Katherine Draken, of Freedom Road Socialist Organization, attended the event in support of the striking workers. Draken said, “These workers have shown incredible militancy rejecting JBS's pathetic contract proposal. Everyone who supports worker power and militancy should be out here to support this.”

Another supporter of the strike, Salem Chadwick, a member of Teamsters for a Democratic Union, said, “The JBS fight is connected to our fights. When we see unions win big, it inspires workers all over to fight the boss and win too.”

At 1:30 p.m., members switched shifts, with the second shift of strikers holding the line until 10:30 that night. Spirits were high on day one of the strike.

#GreelyCO #CO #UFCW #Labor #Strike #Featured

Denver, CO – On February 21, Starbucks Workers United (SBWU) organized a Strike Day of Action at the unionized Starbucks store on 16th Street in Denver, Colorado, to rally workers and supporters to demand the company stop stonewalling contract negotiations and bargain a decent contract with their unionized workers.

“I got this job for the benefits, which are being eroded away. I love this job enough to want to make it better for myself and all my coworkers,” said a striking Starbucks barista.

SBWU and Starbucks have been in negotiations for the first Starbucks contract since 2021, with Starbucks CEO Bryan Nichols facing mounting pressure from the striking workers. Starbucks workers started the Red Cup Rebellion strike on November 13, 2025, demanding livable wages, full staffing with reasonable hours, and transgender inclusive healthcare. The strike has expanded to over 190 stores across over 130 cities, making it the largest and longest work stoppage in Starbucks history.

“We want to make it clear to Starbucks and their customers that we want the company to come back to the bargaining table and negotiate a fair contract that works for both parties,” said Lucille Wayne, Starbucks barista and SBWU strike captain. “We've been unionized for four years. Starbucks has been stonewalling us this entire time. Workers are living paycheck to paycheck, we're getting scheduled less hours and losing our healthcare.”

Since unionization efforts began in December 2021 Starbucks has failed to meet workers' demands and has amassed over 1000 Unfair Labor Practice charges for union-busting, retaliatory firings, surveillance, and failure to bargain in good faith.

“There's been no progress in bargaining since late 2024. Starbucks doesn't want to give in to our very reasonable demands,” said Naomi Wilson, Starbucks barista and event organizer.

Supporters from the community, along with organizers from Teamsters for a Democratic Union and Democratic Socialists of America came to support the picket line. SBWU organizers and event attendees chanted “What's disgusting? Union busting! What's outrageous, Starbucks wages” and “No contract, no coffee” to dozens of community members in attendance and hundreds of passersby, most of whom did not cross the picket line.

The strike is set to end on February 24, with workers scheduled to return to work the next day. Despite the end of the strike, workers expressed that they will continue organizing, canvassing other Starbucks stores to gain more support for the union, and to sign up additional workers to join SBWU.

“I hope to see more stores get organized. We've been canvassing to help other stores unionize. If you're interested in unionizing go to SBWorkersUnited.org”, said Naomi Wilson as the event came to a close.

#DenverCO #CO #Labor #Starbucks #SBWU #Strike

Santa Clara, CA – On February 10, 80 nurses and healthcare professionals gathered in front of the Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Medical Center to demand Kaiser Permanente meet them in good-faith at the bargaining table.

The United Nurses Associations of California/ United Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP) are in their third week of an Unfair Labor Practice strike against Kaiser Permanente. Since the COVID lockdown of 2020, Kaiser Permanente has not replaced staff and threatens to cut benefits while taking away workplace protections, leading to high turnover and caregiver burnout among staff.

Nurses and healthcare professionals held signs with “On strike to protect our professions” and “Not thriving.” In addition to a picket line, they had picnic blankets and a DJ playing music that the community could enjoy while being in solidarity. Nurses and healthcare professionals discussed burnout and understaffing leading to delayed patient care. Cam Cook, a nurse anesthetist, said, “Kaiser is retaliating against our groups for organizing, for unionizing. They are trying to cut our benefits: healthcare and retirement.”

For the past couple of years, Kaiser Permanente has been ignoring nurses and healthcare professionals when they share the concerns they have about the quality of care patients are receiving. “That means a lot of long and difficult nights for providers like me,” said Cook. “We have been trying to have that addressed by Kaiser, but they have largely ignored us.”

During contract negotiations, Kaiser Permanente continued to waste the valuable time of nurses and healthcare professionals by continually not showing up to the bargaining table. “We can sum up what [Kaiser Permanente] has been doing as union busting,” stated Cook.

In addition to no-showing, union members report that Kaiser has taken punitive measures to retaliate against workers. “There has been a lot of retaliation in terms of not allowing people to change their schedules or do things we used to do,” Cooke continued.

Many strikers expressed that, although the strike is difficult, they feel a sense of newfound unity and solidarity with their coworkers that they do not see very often in the workplace. Physical therapists and nurse anesthetists pass each other by in hospital hallways every day, but on this picket line they stand together, united against Kaiser Permanente’s union busting.

#SantaClaraCA #CA #Labor #Nurses #Strike

Clearwater, FL – Starbucks baristas and their supporters dug in outside the Starbucks location in downtown Clearwater as part of the nationwide “Red Cup Rebellion” starting on Thursday, December 11. Forming a picket, they chanted pro-union slogans such as “No contract, no coffee” and “Understaffing, lousy pay, that is how your coffee’s made,” they shut down the store for the duration of the strike.

Passing commuters, in addition to those who approached learning they would not be able to get a cup of coffee in the store, were supportive of the strikers’ demands.

The Red Cup Rebellion is part of a campaign by Starbucks Workers United (SBWU) to win a contract at unionized Starbucks stores across the United States. While hundreds of stores have been organized since 2021, Starbucks is refusing to budge. Starbucks, like many in the service and fast food industry, benefits greatly from its non-union workforce, which is under conditions that are entirely at the whims of management.

“We need a living wage and better hours, we can’t live off of four, four hour shifts a week in Florida,” said Jay Ciardiello, one of the baristas holding the picket down.

The Clearwater strike will extend at least through Wednesday, December 17. Hundreds of other Starbucks stores are being struck across the busy holiday season in December in order to put pressure on Starbucks and especially Starbuck’s CEO Bryan Niccol.

#ClearwaterFL #FL #Labor #Starbucks #SBWU #Strike

San Jose, CA – Since the start of December, the Starbucks Workers’ Union (SBWU) has been on a national strike. In what has been dubbed the “Red Cup Rebellion,” the aim of the workers has been to disrupt the Starbucks corporation during one of its traditionally most busy times, the holiday season.

In San Jose, the SBWU has voted to join the strike. Devasya Kumar, a barista and strike captain of the Capitol Square Mall Starbucks location, shared his store’s experience in participating in the strike. He captains the evening picket line. His store has shut down completely.

Kumar explained, “Our first and foremost reason for going on strike nationally is that we’re on an unfair labor practices strike. The company has, since our first union store up in Buffalo, had hundreds of labor violations. To this day most of them have not been corrected or rectified whatsoever. The baristas who suffered under this straight up illegal oppression, they have not seen justice.”

The signs held up by the picketers’ included slogans such as “No contract, no Starbucks!” and “Baristas on strike!”

Kumar stated, “We reached our boiling point after years and years of stalling negotiations and Starbucks just refusing to show up at the table and right their wrongs. We reached the boiling point.” He also discussed the eagerness of his fellow workers going on strike in spite of their relative lack of experience.

“At the moment, we are the only store in San Jose is striking. It is quite a burden for all of us. But, if we're not going to do it, who else is going to do it for us?” Kumar continued, “The baristas here at Capitol Square Mall are willing to face that uncertainty no matter what, and they're willing to fight for a good contract.”

The SBWU nationally has been struggling for a better contract for years now, and with Starbucks CEO Bryan Nichols facing mounting pressure from both the striking workers and his own shareholders, many of the strikers are hopeful for a breakthrough in negotiations.

“The more you ignore a union,” Kumar explained, “the more it's going to strike later on and it's just going to keep happening and happening.”

When asked if he had any calls to action as to ways people outside of the SBWU could support baristas in their fight for a fair contract, Kumar said, “In the least, just don't buy Starbucks from anywhere, even Target, don't engage with the company. Support your workers and just remember, you know, even if you're not in the service industry or the fast food industry, a strong, united, unionized working class benefits everyone, not just the fast food industry, not just baristas.”

Kumar concluded, “The stronger the working class in one area, the stronger it will become in another. It will ripple, it will spread. So just know that we are out here and we are not only fighting for our interest, but also yours.”

The Red Cup Rebellion is expected to continue through the duration of December, and much of the union is intent on mounting further strike actions until Bryan Nichols and Starbucks management is willing to make concessions.

#SanJoseCA #CA #Labor #Starbucks #SBWU #Strike

Palm Springs, FL – Starbucks workers in Palm Springs are entering the fourth day of a powerful strike that has already forced multiple store closures and exposed the company’s reliance on overworked, understaffed non-union labor.

The strike, organized by Starbucks Workers United (SBWU), has seen strong participation from the vast majority of workers at the store, many of whom are balancing full-time school and second jobs but remain committed to standing up to corporate greed.

The action began at 7 a.m. on December 4, when workers walked off the job and established a picket line at the store’s entrance while supporters leafleted the drive-thru. Scab labor was unable to keep up with the morning rush, leading Starbucks management to shut down the store early. Throughout the day, striking workers reaffirmed their unity, even confronting scabbing coworkers and urging them to stand with the union. At least one has since committed to joining SBWU.

Day two brought another early store closure as striking workers held the line until 6 p.m. Supporters launched a strike fund to support the workers, raising hundreds of dollars within the first 24 hours. Flyers and outreach have extended into the broader community, with plans underway to leaflet additional Starbucks locations and build toward a rally on December 13 at 2 p.m.

On day three, worker turnout remained exceptionally strong, with over a dozen striking workers arriving between 7 and 9 a.m. Their determination contrasts sharply with Starbucks management’s inability to operate the store without them. Around 11 a.m., one of the scabs walked off the job, calling conditions “unbearable.” Starbucks again closed early.

“Workers are proving every day that this store runs because of them—not because of corporate or overpaid managers,” a union supporter said. “The solidarity on the picket line show exactly why Starbucks workers across the country are rising up.”

SBWU organizers plan to continue daily pickets, expand outreach to other stores in the region, and build broader community support ahead of next weekend’s rally. The workers have vowed to maintain their action until Starbucks bargains in good faith and addresses the ongoing unfair labor practices.

#PalmSpringsFL #FL #Labor #Starbucks #SBWU #Strike

Shelbyville, IN – In a decisive victory for their historic strike for union recognition, table games dealers and dual rate dealers at the Horseshoe Indianapolis casino voted overwhelmingly on Friday, December 5, to join Teamsters Local 135.

In an expedited NLRB election ordered after the end of the government shutdown, striking casino workers delivered a landslide mandate for union representation and forced Caesars Entertainment, the corporation that owns the casino, to recognize their union. The vote took place on day 50 of the strike.

The final tally showed 100 votes for the union and 47 against, a 53-vote margin in favor of Local 135. Caesars management challenged the ballots of 50 of its employees – more than one in four eligible workers – but the challenged ballots were not determinative to the outcome. More than two-thirds of the challenged ballots were cast by striking workers, who voted yes. Caesars also challenged all dual rate ballots, continuing to claim dual rates are “supervisors,” despite multiple NLRB rulings rejecting that position.

A strike-day election

Polling opened at 5 a.m. inside the Horseshoe casino. Across the street, the striking dealers and dual rates held a mass rally before walking together in groups to cast their ballots. The NLRB’s decision to hold the election at the casino was an egregious example of the federal government violating the rights of workers. In ordering the election in this manner, the NLRB effectively forced strikers to cross their own picket line. Despite this gross violation of workers’ rights, turnout was not diminished in the slightest. Every striker voted, and the rally on the picket line across the street continued throughout the day.

When polls closed at 10 p.m., workers again assembled across the street for a victory gathering. An hour later, the results were announced. Striking workers celebrated an overwhelming win for the union.

Horseshoe General Manager Trent McIntosh and Table Games Manager Lee Ann Hinthorne were present during the vote count, along with an attorney from the casino. All three were advised by Littler Mendelson, the anti-union law firm that Caesars paid tens of thousands of dollars per day throughout the campaign. All looked on as the workers delivered a resounding defeat to Caesars’ months-long anti-union effort, which included illegal firings, threats, captive-audience meetings, illegal attempts at strike-breaking, and around-the-clock pressure.

The road to victory and beyond

The December 5 election came exactly 50 days after the strike began on October 17, when day-shift dealers walked off the floor in unison, shutting down table games. The strike came after Horseshoe management refused to honor the union's request to proceed with a neutral-administered election during the government shutdown, which indefinitely postponed all scheduled union elections.

Workers held a continuous, militant, round-the-clock picket line through storms, freezing temperatures, police repression, and a coordinated effort by the city of Shelbyville and Caesars to restrict public space around the casino. Their organization and persistence sharply limited Caesars’ ability to continue union-busting and held the unit together through the shutdown until victory.

Teamsters Local 135 President Dustin Roach called the outcome “a victory written in courage, sacrifice and snow,” saying the workers had “shown the world exactly what it means to fight for dignity.”

In a statement after the vote, Teamsters Local 135 said that the dealers and dual rates “faced down a billion-dollar corporation. They endured pressure, fear tactics, and every trick Caesars could throw at them. They sacrificed paychecks, sleep, family time and comfort — all for each other. And tonight, they won.”

The strike officially concluded on Monday, December 8, when the dealers and dual rates returned to work as recognized Teamsters Local 135 members. They are immediately beginning to organize a strong first-contract campaign.

The Horseshoe recognition strike now stands as one of the most consequential labor victories in recent Indiana history, and a rare example in the modern era of workers using a recognition strike to force a major corporation to the bargaining table.

#ShelbyvilleIN #IN #Labor #Teamsters #Strike #Feature

Colorado Springs, CO – On November 13, workers from the Starbucks Workers United (SBWU) rallied with their allies at a unionized Starbucks store in Colorado Springs to begin their “Red Cup Rebellion, ” strike against unfair labor practice. SBWU called this strike after Starbucks refused to finalize a union contract earlier in the year that would address worker demands for higher pay, better staffing, and address hundreds of unfair labor practice charges.

Around 90 people picketed in front of the drive-through window of the Starbucks store holding picket signs and shouting phrases like “What’s disgusting? Union busting!” and “What’s appalling? Bosses stalling!” Among them were allies from both the general community as well as several organizations, such as the Colorado Springs Labor Council, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Democratic Socialists of America, and Teamsters for a Democratic Union.

Before the picket, members from SBWU spoke in front of the crowd, railing against Starbucks’ anti-worker practices and highlighting the importance of worker solidarity.

“The bosses are scared because they realize we have the control and they don’t want us to know that,” said Raven Sage, SBWU strike captain. “These are the same bosses that say we don’t work hard enough, and yet they’ve never worn a green apron,” Sage continued, as she spoke about the CEO Brian Niccol, who had recently told corporate employees to “work harder” in an internal message. Sage concluded with a call to action to unite and strike, stating, “I think he’s right! I think we need to work harder to unite and remind him that we need leaders, not bosses!”

SBWU member and store employee Olivia Fisk spoke on Starbucks’ efforts to blame SBWU for customer frustration, saying “they want the public to think we’re the problem for standing up for ourselves, but we’re not the problem; we’re the reason Starbucks runs at all.” Fisk went on to explain the importance of worker unity, saying “when we stand together we show Starbucks and every other company watching that workers aren’t disposable and we won’t be silent.”

Allies of SBWU also stepped up to the mic to declare support of the strike and worker power.

“I’m out here because the only way we fight is through the power of solidarity,” said Keegan Estrella, a Teamsters member. Estrella noted, “every single brick on this building, every bit of concrete on the ground – it was made by people power.” Estrella declared Teamsters’ support for the strike, stating “It’s not easy to be out here, so it’s important for us to keep showing and keep backing them, and the Teamsters are going to be doing just that.” As more people spoke, a Teamster UPS driver passed by and honked in support.

Kat Draken, FRSO member, pointed out how much is being taken from the workers, noting that “Last year, Starbucks made $37 billion; of that, CEO Brian Niccol took home $39 million – as people said, 6666 times as much as the average worker.” Draken pointed out that all of this money is made “off the hard work of Starbucks workers.” Draken called Starbucks’ claim that it can’t pay workers a living wage “bullshit,” noting that “Starbucks is one of the most valuable restaurant brands in the United States. It makes $100,000 in [annual] revenue per worker.” Draken called for action and worker solidarity, declaring “Workers are being robbed, and it’s time to fight back!”

After speeches, the crowd began to picket the store for an hour before the rally concluded. SBWU workers plan to picket until Starbucks comes to the table to negotiate the contract and address their unfair labor practice. Until then, SBWU strike captains ask for people not to cross the picket line. Strike captains also invite the public to come out and support them on the picket line or contribute financially to the general SBWU fund or any local SBWU funds.

#ColoradoSpringsCO #CO #Labor #Starbucks #SBWU #Strike

Muskegon, MI – On November 13, plumbers and apprentices working for Moore Mechanical Grand Rapids began picketing outside the Shaw Walker Project in Muskegon, Michigan. They were joined by other union members of UA local 174 as well as a handful of community members.

UA local 174 organizer Johnny Ortiz explained the situation, “After talking with the workers and after getting a majority of those workers that want a contract there at Moore Mechanical. We went in there and said “Hey! we have a majority!” We showed them copies of authorization cards that they had filled out. These are cards that the workers filled out and they request that 174 is their bargaining representative.”

Plumbers and apprentices working for Moore Mechanical Grand Rapids demanded voluntary union recognition on September 29. Due to the government shutdown, NLRB certification of union elections is indefinitely halted. Moore has used this as an excuse to avoid recognizing the union and delay elections and negotiating with workers.

The organizing campaign comes in response to longstanding discontent over Moore Mechanical’s management practices.

“It was the drive time, training, the unorganization of management.” said plumber Sean Flora. “They changed the handbook at will, at their will.” He explained that one of the recent policy changes means workers are no longer paid for the 45 minute drives between the shop and jobsite at the beginning and end of their shifts. Flora has filed an unfair labor practice suit against Moore following his illegal firing for his organizing efforts.

Workers expressed frustration over a range of other issues from poor maintenance of company vehicles to unaffordable employer provided health insurance that comes out of their paycheck.

“There are people who work around the company, around the whole state that will say the same thing: unorganized and unfair,” said Brendan Nelson, another Moore Mechanical employee. “Instead of standing up like we are, they just leave