July 5th Global Day of Action in Grand Rapids

[Omaha Steve]

by GRSBUXUNION ( grandrapidsstarbucksunion yahoo.com )
Saturday Jul 5th, 2008 10:24 PM

Grand Rapids baristas participated in the Global Day of Action with a bashing of a 4 ft. Stabucks cup which symbolized Starbucks union-busting.



View a video montage:
http://animoto.com/play/o5ZnY1q3Ox5Sb4zE3ZnXiQ

Or Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/gp/9042461@N06/R65D61

The action went off very well despite Starbucks' and the police response. Tom Balenger (the District Manager (616-826-9386) that fired Cole Dorsey) surveilled the protest the whole time in an attempt to identify and intimidate baristas in attendance.
Supporters dropped a banner over Starbucks sign, and Tom told the police that Cole did it. The police then watched the whole protest with 2 to 3 cruisers on the scene or talking with Tom.
Despite this, participants held a lively protest. There was a 4 ft. Starbucks cup which symbolized Starbucks union-busting, poverty wages, lies about social responsibility, etc.. And there was a bat which symbolized globalized solidarity. Baristas demonstrated what happens to Starbucks union-busting when confronted with global solidarity.
All the major TV networks covered the story with pictures and interviews. The coverage was surprisingly good for mainstream media.
There are more pictures, and video, to come from Grand Rapids and around the world.
Thanks to all that participated and gave a crushing blow to Starbucks on July 5th, 2008. This is not the end though. The fight doesn't end until the re-instatement of Monica in Sevilla and Cole in Grand Rapids. We've just shown Starbucks what we are capable of! With global solidarity we will win!
Stay tuned for more:
http://grsbuxunion.blogspot.com

For an Organized Fair Trade Future,
Grand Rapids Starbucks Union (IWW)
616-881-5263
PO Box 6629
Grand Rapids, MI 49516
http://grsbuxunion.blogspot.com