Chilean Starbucks Workers on Strike—and U.S. Baristas Show Solidarity

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from In These Times:



Starbucks has been hit with labor strife in Chile and the United States, as its unionized workers have launched a strike and solidarity campaign to improve wages and benefits.

The global coffee chain is facing its first strike at their Chilean cafes after more than 200 unionized baristas walked out on July 7. Members of the Sindicato de Trabajadores de Starbucks Coffee Chile are seeking wage increases in line with inflation, a lunch stipend similar to what managers are offered and greater employer contribution to their health insurance. Several union leaders stepped up their efforts over the weekend by initiating a hunger strike in front of Starbucks’ corporate Santiago office in an effort to bring company representatives to the negotiating table.

Starbucks, which opened its first Chilean cafe in 2003, now has more than 30 stores in the country. Roughly one-third of its 670 workers are unionized. Globally, the company’s 17,009 cafes are mostly nonunion. Fortune has named Starbucks as one of “The 100 Best Companies to Work For” from 2002 to 2010. Ethisphere also ranked the company as one the “world’s most ethical companies” from 2007 to 2010. But in the United States, baristas have sparred with the company over union activity. ............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.inthesetimes.com/working/entry/11758/chilean_starbucks_workers_on_strike_u.s._baristas_show_solidarity/

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1. Solidarity Kick !!!!