I stood at the cash register and cried (30 year old memories came rushing back)

[Omaha Steve]

Most of you know I was fired illegally for union organizing in June 1980: http://www.nlrb.gov/shared_files/Board%20Decisions/261/261-38.pdf

The next 4 years were the worst years of my life. More on that in a bit.

This afternoon I did something I haven't done in years. I walked into a Starbucks to order something. I told the Barista at the counter I wanted a large iced tea. I then told him I want to make sure my Barista is a union member. You could see I had upset him. He threw his bar towel against the counter and went into the back room. A young black worker came out with the largest smile she could make. She took my order. A few moments later I was at the cash register. As I paid for my tea she politely said in a low voice "thank you for your support". I said "same to you".

I lost it. I remembered in detail being fired at the age of 23 because I wanted a union at my workplace. I had 3 kids to feed. I was black listed. It was 82 when I got my first work after being fired. I worked for 10 weeks as a paid picket in the Hinky Dindy (UFCW) strike. I would not find any work again until late June of 1983. Payroll had some problems. I got my first check for 6 weeks just before Marta went on strike against Ma Bell for 3 weeks. The last unified national strike against AT&T before break up the following first of the year.

I remembered loosing my unemployment appeal. Winning the first round with the NLRB. Loosing the next round with an administrative law judge. My appeal to the board was upheld. Industrial Label appealed to the appellate court in St. Louis. I won there. After close to 4 years I got a settlement check on the condition I turn down in writing my right to reinstatement at the company. Otherwise the company was ready to stall by appealing to the US Supreme Court.

It was a while before I learned it was the first black to sit on the NLRB board that made the difference in my case. Howard Jenkins Jr. was nominated by President Kennedy. He stayed through 5 different Presidents and earned the nickname Mr. NLRB.

My barista of choice asked if something was wrong? I could only say tears of joy as I walked away. I'm sure several people in the store wondered where the nut bag came from.

OS


Squeezed Baristas Shut Down 15th and Douglas Starbucks in Omaha to Protest Cutbacks: http://www.starbucksunion.org/node/3822

Submitted by SWU on Thu, 08/05/2010 - 8:36am.

For Immediate Release:
Starbucks Workers Union/Industrial Workers of the World (IWW)

Contact: Tyler Swain, 402-320-2002

August 5, 2010

Squeezed Baristas Shut Down 15th and Douglas Starbucks to Protest Cutbacks

Workers Demand Reversal of Recession Labor Cuts as Starbucks Returns to Profitability

Press Conference: 4:30 August 5, 15th and Douglas, W. Entrance to Omaha Public Library

Omaha, NE- Baristas and community supporters shut down the 15th and Douglas Starbucks (SBUX) this morning demanding that management reverse all cuts to healthcare, staffing, and benefits that have been imposed during the recession. The baristas claim that executives have no justification to squeeze working families with Starbucks raking in profits of $977.2 million in the past four fiscal quarters.

“We are being squeezed, and we can't take it any more. Since the recession began, Starbucks executives have ruthlessly gutted our standard of living. They doubled the cost of our health insurance, reduced staffing levels, cut our hours, all while demanding more work from us. Starbucks is now more than profitable again. It's time for management to give back what they took from us,” said Sasha McCoy, a shift supervisor at the store.

Since the onset of the recession, Starbucks imposed a series of deep cuts on its workforce. Starting in 2008 as the economic downturn began, the coffee giant shuttered over 800 stores and slashed over 18000 jobs. The remaining skeleton crew workforce was stretched out, forced to push VIA and other promotional products while keeping the stores running with insufficient staffing levels. CEO Howard Schultz then doubled the cost of the company health insurance plan in September 2009, leaving many workers unable to afford medical treatment because of sky-high deductibles and premiums. While the cuts continue, Starbucks made a record profit of $207.9 million in the last quarter according to company figures.

The protesting baristas are members of the Starbucks Workers Union, which is an international campaign of the Industrial Workers of the World labor union. The store action makes the 15th and Douglas location the first Starbucks in Nebraska to have a public union presence. The workers decided to move to unionize after watching their standard of living be whittled away while top executives chose to reward investors with dividends.

Samantha Cole, a Barista at the store said, “I work hard for every dollar I make in order to put food on the table for my family; Starbucks rewards workers with a poverty wage while they give their Wall Street pals dividends. I'm not doing this for myself so much as for the next generation that will grow up in this country. These are the only jobs that are left here- we need to make sure they are good jobs for working families.”

While portraying itself as a ‘socially-responsible’ employer, Starbucks pays Nebraska baristas a poverty wage of $7.35/hr. In addition, all retail hourly workers at Starbucks in the United States are part-time employees with no guaranteed number of work hours per week. According to Starbucks figures released to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 40.9% of its employees (including managers) are covered by the company health care package, a lower percentage than the oft-criticized Wal-Mart, which insures 47% of its workforce.

Since the launch of the IWW campaign at Starbucks on May 17, 2004, the company has been cited multiple times for illegal union-busting by the National Labor Relations Board. The company settled numerous complaints against it and was recently found guilty by a judge in New York on more than 30 additional rights’ violations. Starbucks’ large anti-union operation is operated in conjunction with the Akin Gump law firm and the Edelman public relations firm.

The IWW Starbucks Workers Union is a grassroots organization of over 300 current and former employees at the world's largest coffee chain united for secure work hours and a living wage. The union has members throughout the United States and Canada fighting for systemic change at the company and remedying individual grievances with management.

Union baristas, bussers, and shift supervisors have fought successfully toward improved scheduling and staffing levels, increased wages, and workplace safety. Workers who join the union have immediate access to co-workers and members of the community who will struggle with them for a better life on the job.

[JuniperLea]

1. I'll cry with you, Steve...

This is a great story. Thanks.

[tkmorris]

2. Thanks Steve. For all of it.

That's really all I have. Thanks.

[NYC_SKP]

3. kick (nt)

[handmade34]

4. .....

:loveya:

[Oceansaway]

5. K&R...n/t

[UpInArms]

6. thanks for all you do, Omaha Steve

:yourock:

[Luminous Animal]

7. Union! Yes! Thank you, Steve.

[rug]

8. Great post.

You're the real deal.

"In March 1980, . . . began a one-person organizing campaign for the Union among Respondent's employees. He distributed union literature, carried a notebook bearing the Union's logo, left the notebook in plain view at his work station, and placed union decals prominently on his automobile. In May 1980, the Union formally notified Respondent that an organizing campaign was underway.

"During his morning break on June 18, 1980, . . . telephoned the Union's president, Powers, from Peterson's office to report on the status of the campaign . . . told Powers, inter alia, that, based on the number of signed authorization cards, . . . the Union would win an election. Peterson, who unbeknown to . . . . had come to the doorway of the office, overheard this conversation. Upon being observed by Dawes, Peterson shook his head vigorously and walked away."

[Hannah Bell]

9. knr

[myrna minx]

10. .

K&R :grouphug:

[FarLeftRage]

11. K & R!!!

N/T...

[aquart]

12. And I'm crying, too.

I will also remember to request a union barista.

[Omaha Steve]

17. I should add what happened a little later at another Starbucks

After dinner Marta and I went to the store. It has a Starbucks inside the door. I walked up to order an iced tea. I asked the two workers if either of them have a union card. I got strange looks. One said we aren't a union company. I said they are at 15th and Douglas St. and walked away. The 15th and Douglas store does not yet have a union contract. They do have workers fighting to get representation and a contract. That is what stirred up so many old memories in me.

Starbucks has been fighting unionization at every store with illegal tactics like I faced. A quick goggle or look at the IWW site has it all.

OS

[malaise]

13. Great post

:grouphug:

[nadinbrzezinski]

14. These may be the first green shots of the labor movement

reviving.

[pinto]

15. Kick

:kick:

[Poll_Blind]

16. Is it typical to be able to walk into a place of business and ask to be served by a union member?

I make a habit of NOT going to Starbucks but I might just to do something like this and show support. It's a little gesture but I really like the message it sends.

Is it typical to be able to walk into a place of business and ask to be served by a union member? Do you do this normally? I actually like the idea because unions are what this country needs more than ever, IMO.

Thanks, I really have no idea!

PB

[Omaha Steve]

20. No it is not normal at all

I knew there are union members at this location fighting to win representation. I knew this was the thing to do. My understanding is it is the same as being served Pepsi when ordering Coke. They have to honor your request or say they can't do it, and or offer a substitute. I knew by this Barista's smile that she was in fact a member. :-) I didn't ask to see her card.

OS

[Scruffy1]

18. As a proud IWW member I thank you

I too have bee fired and blacklisted back in the 80's. It was the worst time of my life and had to scrape by with crap for several years. But in the long run this only strengthened my resolve. The International Convention of the IWW will be in the Twin Cities Labor Day weekend.

[w8liftinglady]

19. Steve-that was wonderful.As a nurse in a "right-to-work" state,I applaud

your bravery.You set a great example for us...as do these baristas

[justabob]

22. yes

very little hope down here for any of that. It is sad though because there used to be unions here. I go to old cemeteries around town for photographs. In my wanderings, I started noticing grave stones/monuments for union locals. Out of curiosity, I googled one that was a waiters union. It is funny, but I found very little out about them except that the burial plot I had found was listed as the big deal of that year for the local. :) 20-25 people were buried there. Pretty cool. Judging by the grave markers, these locals died out during the Depression.

ps. I think the term for Texas is "At will", not "right to work".... they can fire us whenever, for whatever.

[w8liftinglady]

26. unfortunately,that is their code for "screw you all"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right-to-work_law

[justabob]

29. I was thinking after I posted that both terms applied

I always get them mixed up anyway :) Either way, both ways....it sucks.

[ChiciB1]

48. Nurses Here In Florida Don't Have An Option For Unions! Even Fighting For

Union rights will almost get you fired! It's just not right!!

[PJPhreak]

21. Kick and Highly Recommend!

[TBF]

23. K&R

:kick: :kick: :kick:

[Odin2005]

24. Great post!

:yourock:

[nemo137]

25. I just about cried when I read that. Thank you.

[Flying Squirrel]

27. Good stuff.. it will probably be a long time, if ever...

before I again have the luxury of paying what Starbucks wants for anything.

[femrap]

40. All I can afford is

the half-priced drinks at Steak 'N Shake between 2-4:00 pm on weekdays. Iced Tea for 50 cents!!! That's a treat for me. It's pretty good tea, too. Their milkshakes suck. Wendy's has the best shakes...and that's a super treat for me. But Wendy's Double Stack for 99 cents is super!

[Flying Squirrel]

58. I've even stopped buying double stacks, even at 99 cents

Why pay any cash at all when I can use food stamps? If I only buy two 99-cent things a day that still adds up to 65 bucks a month (counting sales tax here in WA).

[ChiciB1]

49. I Don't Go To Starbucks... Can UNDERSTAND Why Anyone Would Pay

that much money for coffee that I can make at home for about 1/4th the price!! But that's just me!!

[northzax]

71. because it's not the coffee

and of course, unless you have an espresso machine at home (I do) you'll be hard pressed to whip up a cappuccino.

people don't go to Starbucks for the coffee anymore than they go to bars for the booze alone (you can certainly buy beer cheaper and drink at home, right?) or to Subway because they can't make a sandwich at home. it's about convenience and a personal connection.

[AnArmyVeteran]

28. Great post, thanks for that great story!

[IDemo]

30. I walked the picket line in that last CWA strike against Ma Bell n/t

[Doremus]

31. Thank you Steve. k&r

[maryf]

32. K,R, and Solidarity!!

Thanks, Steve!! :yourock:

[Timbuk3]

33. Wow!

I don't suppose we've got the science to clone you, yet.

It's a shame.

Thank you for living what you believe.

[lillypaddle]

34. Wow, what a story you have to tell

K&R

[blaze]

35. K&R! n/t

[MrScorpio]

36. Powerful, man. Powerful. nt

[BlueIris]

37. K&R. nt

[pleah]

38. K&R

[femrap]

39. It's nice to see that the

'fly over' people aren't going to take it anymore. Omaha, isn't that where Rich Boy Buffet lives?

$7.35/hour. It's disgusting.

I buy Starbucks coffee at the grocery store when it is on sale....I just can't afford to buy a cup of coffee at the store when I can fix it at home. There is now a coupon on the bag...take it to the store and you get a free Tall.

So the other day I did. And the woman working there could barely walk. She had a horrible limp....and to have to stand all day. Well, it was just heartbreaking. She was so pleasant to me.

The last time I took my bag in for the free Tall, the young woman nearly threw it at me.

It simply breaks my heart to see what this country has become. I truly detest these greedy CEO's....I hope they have to eat their money and choke on it.

Pitchforks for All!

[Evergreen Emerald]

41. Dear OS

Before the ugly primary season, I was a regular poster on DU. Since that time, I rarely post. However, your message compelled me to sign in today and let you know that you have moved me to tears. Keep up the good fight.

Emmy

[DesertDiamond]

42. Steve, you made me cry too! Steve! You are a hero!!!

[hedgehog]

43. I've come to believe that people that do the right thing, whether it is

labor organizing or being a whistle blower, will take it in the chops, 99 times out of a 100. Even if a situation gets fixed, the whistle blower ends up on the street and the guilty get promoted. The hardest part is wondering if indeed, yes, you are the crazy one for causing all the ruckus.

But that 1 time out of the 100, how sweet it is!

[orbitalman]

44. Hoooorayyyyyyy Labor...

As a one-time small business owner, I knew that the way to retain your trained talent and minimize constant new employee costs was to pay them properly to support themselves and their families.

In the end, it was the Bush economy claiming the "economic fundamentals were sound" from 2001 on that actually began the decline into closing. It was NOT the unions or the workers or the families or "Americans" that did the economy in.
:think: :fistbump: :applause: :thumbsup:

[Joanne98]

45. Thank God for people like you.

[Richlu]

46. Wow, Thanks!

Unions made our lives good. We get breaks, and lunch hours, and overtime, etc. All because unions stood up to the big bosses. Thanks again!

[ChiciB1]

47. Great Wonderful & Heart Felt Post!! I Know Our Family Would Probably

never been able to save, or get a decent job WITHOUT our Union! My husband worked for GTE BEFORE it became Verizon, which was fantastic for us! The Union is CWA! At that time they matched stock savings 50/50 and then we enrolled in a 401K! Yes, I know it's different now, but we took advantage of the offering by saving the maximum amount as a tax differed account!

Great Health care, and even though there were times that they didn't get all they wanted regarding salary raises, almost ALWAYS they got a pay raise! We were able to save enough back then so my husband was able to retire early (when he got his numbers) because his mother acquired Alzheimer's and she came to live with us for 10 years. Without the Union I seriously doubt we would have saved as much!

Now, some of our friends who work for Verizon who worked there when it was GTE have told us that so many things have changed! Because actual Unions have dropped to something around 12 to 15% nationwide, some pluses have been dropped. The older Union people from GTE are just waiting to get their numbers, because of employee cuts and it's now longer "first hired, first fired!" I hear from them that it's the "older" employees they want to be rid of, even as a Union company! The older employees make more money, sooooooooooooooooo you get the drift!

But it's STILL A UNION, which is beneficial to even the Verizon employees today. We have been able to keep good health insurance because of when my husband retired, and now that he became eligible for Medicare. They called it Retiree Medicare Health Care! Still I wonder HOW long we will enjoy THIS plus. We have a Humana PPO, and we do have to make some choices, but with no deductible, and only a $5.00 co-pay and $20.00 co-pay for specialist, I'm NOT going to complain!! And we both just had a complete physical, included ultra sounds and complete cardiology work-ups that didn't cost us anything! While have what I consider a GREAT health care plan, it doesn't mean I don't know how lucky I am!

Given the coverage we have, I KNOW that some doctors just "over-charge" for their services and at times I've thought of reporting this, but do I cut my nose off to spite my face??? I've wondered about this, but then I would have to find other doctors, and now it seems fewer and fewer doctors want to take different types of insurance. AND, we aren't affluent so we watch what we spend all the time!

But, I think it's because we are a UNION connected family that we actually can still enjoy this kind of insurance.

But time will tell how it will change, and given the current HCR Bill we may find ourselves with less coverage rather than more!! HCR, in my opinion does very little for the average person, but it has a "few" things that will help! However my son just told me that his insurance (non-union & not through his employer) just went up $100.00 month!! Raising rates is a humongous stick in the eye for too many people with health insurance!

Keeping rates down WAS NOT something that was addressed and I think it's a real kick in the pants!!

So Enough! We NEED MORE UNIONS!!

[SheilaT]

50. Interesting.

I thought Starbucks was supposed to be a great place to work at because they paid well and gave all of their employees, including part timers benefits. Obviously that changed.

Also, every state is a Right To Work State, and virtually all employees are "at-will" unless you actually have a contract, which almost no one has anymore. it's very, very important to understand those things. Many years ago, when unions were stronger, in most states if there was a union shop in your workplace you were obligated to join and pay the dues. Over time all of the states passed laws making it illegal for obligatory union membership, and the propaganda got out that unions were bad, all they did was take money from the employees an nothing was given back in return. Most people have forgotten that things like a forty hour work week exist because of unions. Sick leave and vacation time, if you're lucky enough to have them, exist only because of unions. It's the weakness of unions that we have such crappy health care, vacations, or sick leave today.

[Joe Chi Minh]

54. In France, they're raising Cain because the government wants to

raise the retirement age from 60 to 62. I think the Greeks would be donning their gas-masks and looking for some big sticks! It tickles me pink when I read that kind of stuff. And compared to our economies, France and Germany's economies are prospering!

[northzax]

70. you know the retirement age in Germany is 67, right?

and will most likely increase to 70 within five years?

[Joe Chi Minh]

76. Likely? Likely schmikely! So what if it did, anyway? German workers are treated with respect and

are represented on the Board. And I'll bet it's not at the expense of young job-seekers, either.

Continental European workers tend not to live under the hideous stresses workers at most levels in the US and UK are subject to; particularly, of course, the US with its distinctively psycopathic brand of capitalism, 'red in tooth and claw' as it is, unattenuated by anything but minimal, legal and trade-union protection of its workers, and precious little by way of a welfare-state safety-net.

As a result, in Europe, many workers do not wish to retire as long as they can work, and in fact tend to 'drop off the twig' pretty soon after they do. Though work for its own sake is more a part of the teutonic and anglo cultures, perhaps. As for the Germans' retirement pensions, I believe they are twice as high as ours. Well, that's probably true of Greece, too, so, in the circumstances, that may not be saying a lot.

It is as if our Anglo-Norman, British and American cultures seem to be under a curse. Certainly, the curse of our empires, past and present.

So, what's your point?

[fascisthunter]

79. my relatives have a much higher standard of living in Germany

your point is moot because they have better benefits than we probably ever will. They have a system keeping wealth disparity in check and we don't.

[northzax]

55. benefits are offered to all employees

well, anyone who works more than 20 hours a week, that is, and since except in extreme circumstances, employees have to work 20 hours a week minimum, that covers it. (full disclosure, I work for Starbucks)

benefits are as follows, for all employees, from cafe assistants up to the Director level:

health insurance starts at $20/pay period. mine is $33.
all employees get equivalent stock options (last year it equaled 16% of total pay, vested over five years.)
all employees get matching 401K contributions, these were cut a bit during the crash (as people may recall, the company went from having a stock in the 40s to in the $8 range in a year) but there was still an end of year match of a few percent. As of January 1, this will be reinstated to a straight 4% match, concurrent with contributions with no vesting time)
all hourly employees are eligible for tips.
all employees have equivalent vacation grants, including hourly partners, this is not dependent on how many hours you work, but on the length of service.

now some things that can be better:
the bonus structure should include all partners in a store, not just the salaried ones.
the stock purchase plan should be raised from the current 5% discount to the 10% it was before the crash.
vacation time should accrue the first year of employment, not starting the second, even if you are unable to take it for a waiting period.

is it perfect? of course not. is it better than anyone else in the equivalent industry? pretty much. is it better than the local coffee shops everyone loves to talk about as so authentic? yup. don't recall ever getting health insurance even offered to me there. so sure, come organize, if you'd like. there are many professions in which it makes a lot of sense. I'd be hard pressed to think how my life at work would be anything more than marginally different, however.

[Omaha Steve]

60. From Huffington Post: Spilling the Beans About Starbucks' Union-Busting Tactics

I'm at work and can't really get into this now. I'll be back tonight with more.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/zp-heller/spilling-the-beans-about_b_205497.html

Posted: May 19, 2009 06:14 PM

ZP Heller

Put down that grande non-fat caramel macchiato or whatever Starbucks concoction you're drinking. Turns out the coffee giant has a nasty history of being anti-barista, anti-union, and thus anti-Employee Free Choice Act as well.

The National Labor Relations Board has repeatedly found Starbucks guilty of illegally terminating, harassing, intimidating, and discriminating against employees attempting to unionize. Late last year, a judge ruled Starbucks had committed over a dozen violations of the National Labor Relations Act at a few New York stores. Starbucks has settled five such labor disputes in the last few years in New York, Minnesota, and Michigan, spending millions on legal fees to avoid exposing their anti-worker ways.

Video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L58EKo9XYiE&feature=player_embedded

To make matters worse, Starbucks has led the charge on a so-called Employee Free Choice Act "compromise," joining Costco and Whole Foods to form the Committee for Level Playing Field. This Orwellian-sounding group has come up with a "third way" on Employee Free Choice, which would require 70 percent of workers to sign union authorization cards instead of the far more manageable 50 percent initially proposed by this legislation.

We've known for a while where Starbucks' billionaire CEO Howard Schultz stands on unions. After all, it was Schultz who once said that if workers "had faith in me and my motives, they wouldn't need a union." Yet Starbucks pretends to be pro-barista, claiming to offer workers decent wages and health insurance. The reality is the company insures less than 42 percent of its 127,000 baristas in the U.S. As Liza Featherstone recently reported, even Wal-Mart, a company notorious for its anti-labor practices, insures 47 percent of its employees.

Like Wal-Mart, Starbucks offers its workers low wages averaging $7.75 an hour, and Starbucks also refuses to guarantee workers set hours. Instead, the company adheres to an Optimal Scheduling policy that requires baristas to make themselves available 70 percent of open store hours just to work full time in any given week. This means low-wage earning baristas often don't have time to take a second job. Moreover, it precludes tens of thousands of Starbucks employees from working the 240 hours per quarter needed to qualify for the company's health insurance.

Starbucks' ethical reputation is misleading, its "progressive" policies less substantive than the company's frothy beverages. Sign the memo to Howard Schultz insisting he allow workers to unionize.

http://stopstarbucks.com/

[Joe Chi Minh]

62. Our friend's signature-line tells us all we need to know about him, Esteban!

"Antiquis temporibus, nati tibi similes in rupibus ventosissimis exponebantur ad necem."

Thus speaks a born champion of the workers of the world.

[northzax]

69. yes, humor is a good sign

isn't it? do you have to be humorless to support workers?

[Joe Chi Minh]

74. I always find jokes in latin a tad too subtle. Same with Ancient Greek and Urdu.

If Starbucks are so solicitous for the welfare of their employees, why is that they are afraid of trade-union representation for their workers? Daddy always knows best?

Don't bother to respond. It will surely be a grossly inadequate explanation.

[juajen]

80. Starbucks is a great place to work, and part timers can also

receive benefits after six months of employment. You receive a review and a raise for a good review every four months (I think) plus you get starbucks stock also and paid vacation, plus options to buy stock at a good price. That benefits package includes health, dental, vision, life and disability (on top of some short term disability free. In addition to your wages, you also receive tips and a free pound of coffee every week, plus discounts on all starbuck's items, etc.

[Omaha Steve]

81. On less than $8 an hour @ 20-30 (apx 200 a wk b4 deductions) hours a week

How much stock can you afford?

Even Starbucks says less than 50% of employees get health insurance.

Can you live (rent, food, car,) AND pay for health care?

And lets not forget the violations on work & labor laws.

[Name removed]

51. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Joe Chi Minh]

52. I seem to remember Starbucks wanting payment for water they supplied

to deal with the 9/11 disasters.

Meanwhile, the men directing the hoses were risking ther lives (in the event, I think in many cases giving their lives if not immediately, a little later) and there was precious little publicity given Starbuck's despicable esurience, still less condemnation of it. If I had ever been disposed to buy anything from them, that would have done it for me, good and proper. They'd have been history, as far as I was concerned.

[Desertrose]

53. A kick, a rec & thanks!

:hug:

[varelse]

56. You just brought tears to my eyes

thank you for all your years of hard work and sacrifice.

[JustAnotherGen]

57. Very heart warming

You know - Starbucks is trying to become a Global Brand. I'm a Marketing Creature . . .so to me - looking at what it takes to become a Global Brand? It takes respecting your employees and their contribution to their brand.

Question - is there a way to see a complete list of Starbucks union shops in the US?

[Omaha Steve]

77. I'm still waiting for the list

There are only a few stores in the entire US that have a contract. A few in each NYC, Chicago, a couple in Mi. and Mn. That is it.

[bertman]

59. Rec. thanks for posting this, Steve.

[BrklynLiberal]

61. K&R. We have all benefitted from your courage..

[bobburgster]

63. Wow, that touched close to home!

I was unaware of your story until just now. I so sorry for all the pain and struggles you went through. Pleased to hear you survived that nightmare to pass on the story....unions are needed, now more than ever.

Before I became a teacher, I organized the support staff unionization at the school I worked. It was in 1978 and was one of the first in our state. As naive, as I was back then it did not cross my mind that it would be a black mark against me when I applied for teaching positions. I was luckier than you, I was hired....but the superintendent wasn't happy. I knew a few school board members, otherwise I would not have been hired.

Again, thanks for sharing your story!

[NJCher]

64. I can understand this

:hug:



Cher

[dana_b]

65. good for you and

good for those baristas who are fighting this crap. K&R

[ceveritt]

66. Congratulations

Congratulations, mate, on that victory. You deserved it, and a whole lot more.

Like some others, I don't have much more in the way of words. Sorry for that.

Nonetheless, aces to you.

[Little Star]

67. OMG! Powerful story. Thanks for sharing. k&r

[txlibdem]

68. As a fellow black listed worker I salute you

Keep up your good works, Steve! One day the masses will have had enough, then we can start to organize and unionize again! (I've never worked in a union and have seen the abuses of corporate America first hand.)

[dkf]

72. You are a profile in courage Omaha Steve.

Without folks like you who sacrifice so that others can do better we would be worse off indeed. You give me a lot to think about. Thanks for posting.

[northofdenali]

73. I live in a "right to work" state.

They can fire you anytime for any reason, or no reason. There are no unions to speak of.

Omaha Steve, you are my hero.

K&R

[Stargazer09]

75. I guess I'm going to Starbucks tomorrow

I'm not a coffee drinker or anything, but I do live in the Omaha area, and I want to support this effort. Thanks for letting me know that this is going on!

[Barack2theFuture]

78. Thanks man! We need to rebuild the union movement.

But this is the modern era of the Democratic Party, and your pro-union talk is pretty insulting and divisive to those who support the party's DC mainstream, who don't want McCain and Palin (unlike the damned liberals), and who want to do the practical thing and get reelected this fall. Don't you think you should apologize to them?


Seriously, thanks for your sacrifices on behalf of working people. I wish more of us had your courage and conviction. This country would be better off.

[blindpig]

82. Late kick n/t