NYC Turns Out for Starbucks Nationwide Day of Action
On Monday, thousands of customers and allies organized leafleting events outside of not-yet unionized Starbucks stores nationwide. The goal of these events was to have conversations with customers about Starbucks’ union busting behavior, and use the flyers to activate them in the Starbucks Workers United campaign.
In New York City, the NYC CLC, 32BJ SEIU and many other unions turned out to deliver a unified message of solidarity with Starbucks baristas organizing with Starbucks Workers United. From Queens to the Bronx, hundreds of customers, union members, elected officials and allies leafletted Starbucks stores to educate its customer base about the mega corporation's blatant union-busting tactics. The day’s actions hit more than half of the total number of Starbucks stores in New York.
“The New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO is proud to stand with Starbucks Workers United in educating consumers about this company’s unprecedented and shameless union busting,” said NYC CLC President Vincent Alvarez. “Starbucks cultivates an image of progressive values, while at the same time violating labor laws and illegally firing dozens of workers in an effort to scare them off from exercising their fundamental rights. This is a fight for all workers, and the NYC Labor Movement will continue to advocate with and for Starbucks workers who are exposing the absolute hypocrisy of this company and demanding that Starbucks respect their legal right to a union and a voice in the workplace.”
The Adopt-A-Store actions came after a historic series of worker-led “Strike with Pride” strikes and the “Union is Calling” national bus tour. Monday's day of action was just the first of a series of national days of action to activate customers and allies to hold Starbucks accountable and demand they live up to their progressive values. Together, we’ll send the message that we won’t let up until Starbucks quits union busting and starts respecting worker rights. See more photos from Monday using hashtag #StarbucksSolidarity!