[Marxism] Starbucks' intimidation tactics: Surveillance of baristas in Michigan

[Greg McDonald <sabocat59@xxxxxxx>]

Starbucks now recording barista's every move at Wealthy St. location  
in Michigan!

Source URL: http://www.iww.org/en/node/3358
Created Apr 13 2007 - 3:20pm


Friends, Baristas showed up to work today at the Wealthy St.  
Starbucks to find cameras running and recording every inch of their  
workspace. Upon entering the Assistant Manager said, "I haven't seen  
this in the whole 2 and a half years I've been here." This is just  
the latest phase of their attempt to intimidate baristas from joining  
the union. It started last week with managers forcing every barista  
in Grand Rapids to sign the corporate statement on the union (which  
was filled with falsehoods and statements discrediting the union).  
Now our every move is monitored and recorded in an attempt to  
intimidate us from discussing the union while at work.

Take Action! - Call Store Managers (NOT Shift Supervisors as they are  
just baristas with more responsibility and many of them are  
interested in joining the union) and tell them to end their  
intimidation and union busting tactics.

Wealthy St. - 616-451-0871, store manager = Nate Bailey
Waterfalls Shop 28th St. - 616-975-0805
Woodland Mall - 616-464-0916
Grandville - 616-531-8122
Northland Dr. - 616-957-0412
East Beltline - 616-363-6530
Sample statement to managers- "As a costumer I'm opposed to the  
tactics that are being used at your store to intimidate baristas from  
joining a union. I support their right to organize and they should be  
free to choose without your interference. If these union-busting  
tactics continue I will stop buying my coffee at your store and will  
tell all my friends to do the same."

With cameras watching our every move it has made it a contentious  
work environment which all baristas said they wanted to avoid by  
being union. We just want to work, and get just compensation for that  
work, and pay our bills. We are not criminals and shouldn't be  
treated as such just by exercising our right to form a union.

Thank you for your support and we'll keep you updated.

For a Better Future, Grand Rapids Starbucks Workers Union PO Box 6629  
Grand Rapids MI 49516 616-881-5526

F.Y.I - Support buttons are now available at the Institute for Global  
Education - 1118 Wealthy S.E. Grand Rapids or by contacting us  
directly for delivery to you. The buttons have the SWU logo  
surrounded by the words "I Support Baristas" and are for a $1  
donation which goes directly to this campaign.

For more information, visit - starbucksunion.org [1]

Source URL: http://www.iww.org/en/node/3358

________________________________________________
YOU MUST clip all extraneous text before replying to a message.
Send list submissions to: Marxism@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/marxism