FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
IWW Starbucks Workers Union

Starbucks Workers Expand Union Drive, Expose Reality of Heartless Cutbacks

Union baristas and supporters to rally and picket on Saturday morning

Contact:

Chicago: Joe Tessone, Barista and IWW Starbucks Workers Union Organizer- 815-545-5273

February 20, 2009

Chicago, IL- Baristas at Chicago’s Belmont and Leavitt Starbucks store announced their membership in the IWW Starbucks Workers Union (StarbucksUnion.org) becoming the second store in Chicago with a public union presence, following the path of Starbucks workers in Chicago’s Logan Square, in New York City, Michigan, and Minnesota.

Workers served Starbucks management at the café, located at 2159 W. Belmont Ave., with a declaration of union membership and a set of demands including a living wage, guaranteed work hours, and restitution for six workers who, for over two months, have been scheduled for zero hours of work.

“It is appalling that this self-proclaimed ‘socially responsible’ corporation refuses its employees the right to work,” said barista and union member, Bobbi Brysiewicz, “The company’s cost saving initiatives mean unpaid rent, racked up credit card bills, and the food stamp line for Starbucks baristas.”

The baristas and their supporters will rally and picket on Saturday, February 21 at 9:00 AM outside of Starbucks at 2159 W. Belmont Ave. “Together, we will show to the company that we mean business. We will not be pushed around anymore,” says Joe Tessone, a union barista at Logan and California Starbucks, who plans to attend Saturday’s event. The picket is expected to end at noon.

Founded in New York City in 2004, the IWW Starbucks Workers Union is an organization of nearly 300 current and former Starbucks employees united for a living wage, secure work hours, and respect on the job. Through direct action, litigation, and public education, the union has won important gains in wages and working conditions for Starbucks employees and remedied many serious grievances with management. The Starbucks Workers Union is a campaign of the Industrial Workers of the World.

The Industrial Workers of the World (iww.org) is a rank and file labor union dedicated to democracy in the workplace and global solidarity.