IWW Victory for Fired Starbucks Barista Isis Saenz - Starbucks Hit With Yet Another Labor Board Comp

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.iww.org/en/node/3495

IWW Victory for Fired Starbucks Barista Isis Saenz - Starbucks Hit With Yet Another Labor Board Complaint
Submitted by intexile on Thu, 06/21/2007 - 4:50am.

New York, NY- Less than three months after the National Labor Relations Board hit Starbucks with a 30-count legal complaint, the federal agency has once again accused the coffee giant of breaking the law in a continuing effort to undermine the IWW Starbucks Workers Union . Based on an independent investigation into the company’s conduct, the Board has alleged that Starbucks fired outspoken union barista, Isis Saenz, for protected organizing activity.



“It’s beyond dispute now that Starbucks is waging one of the most relentless anti-union operations in the United States today,” said Stuart Lichten, the IWW’s attorney on the case. “If Wal-Mart has a soul mate in the union-busting arena, it’s Starbucks.”

Starbucks fired Ms. Saenz after she participated in a union protest at a Park Avenue Starbucks where Chairman Howard Schultz was scheduled to attend a book release event. Protesters, who were calling on the company to pay a living wage and respect the right to organize, chanted “shame, shame” when Starbucks Regional Vice President Jim McDermott exited the store. Starbucks was upset that Ms. Saenz referred to McDermott as “Jimmy”. Working people in the United States and abroad took to the streets in a global day of action to condemn Ms. Saenz's termination.

“With this complaint, workers everywhere should rest assured that calling your boss by his or her first name at a union protest is protected,” said a smiling Alex Van Schaick, an IWW barista at the Park Avenue store. “Even if you add a ‘y’.”

The trial against Starbucks on all the outstanding New York charges is set for July 9, 2007 at Region 2 of the Labor Board. Last year, the coffee giant entered a lengthy settlement agreement with the federal government in the first labor case brought by baristas in the United States.

FULL story at link.

[Hardrada]

1. Go Wobblies!!

I am a long time supporter of the IWW and am glad it is getting the Starbucks duplicity out in the open!