10 • February 17, 2022 - February 23, 2022
THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS
Union Matters
More Starbucks workers file to form union By STEPHON JOHNSON Special to the AmNews
Starbucks workers in Brooklyn and Manhattan (including the roastery near Chelsea Market) are looking to form a union. Workers United, a union affiliated with the SEIU, announced last week that workers at five locations in the area have filed union petitions, following in the footsteps of their brethren in Western New York. Workers at 72 Starbucks locations in the country, spanning 21 states, have filed petitions to unionize. Other Starbucks workers and leaders of other unions linked up in support by pointing out how much Starbucks’ President and CEO Kevin Johnson makes annually. “The CEO of Starbucks makes $20.4 million a year, and he—not workers—is responsible for raising prices,” said AFSCME President Lee Saunders. ”Starbucks customers see through this charade, too. Starbucks workers deserve their fair share of the record profits their hard work generates for the company, and they deserve a seat at the table to negotiate for fair wages, safe working conditions and other benefits that will improve their lives and their families’ lives.” New York City workers want to vote on March 3. The Starbucks Workers United Buffalo Organizing Committee, the area that started it all, said in an emailed statement that Johnson should say less and give more.
“In the past year, Kevin Johnson received an almost 40% raise, while partners across the country still struggle to pay rent and buy groceries in the same week,” read their statement. “It is worth noting that Starbucks has made record profits this past year, during a global pandemic. Starbucks has also launched an aggressive anti-union campaign where the president of Starbucks North America, Rossann Williams, leads a group of over 100 managers to live in Buffalo now for over five months to disrupt stores, and intimidate and threaten us. “We are confident that their antiunion efforts have not been cheap,” continued the statement. “Starbucks should respect our right to organize so we can create a true partnership with corporate and have a say in the disruption of profits that we are largely responsible for making.” The company has tried to ward off the threat of organized workers. Last October, the Starbucks officials announced a $15-per-hour wage rate with the hopes of hitting $17-per-hour by this year. When adjusted for inflation and productivity gains, the minimum wage in the United States should be $24. They’ve also tried letters. Obtained first by Insider, SBUnited obtained and posted a letter written by support district manager Michaela Murphy left at a Starbucks in the Elmwood area of Buffalo (where employees voted to unionize). “I am saddened that in the end so many of you decided it was best for
Workers United to represent you to myself, your district manager, and your store managers,” read the letter, which was also posted on SBUnited’s Twitter page. “Everything we love most about Starbucks is the direct relationship we have to each of you and our ability to work together to create a better tomorrow. This is my greatest hope for you and all of us.” Murphy ended the letter by drawing a heart over her name. In Memphis, seven Starbucks workers were fired when they tried to unionize. In an email, a Starbucks spokesperson said they’re all ears when it comes to their workers. “We are listening and learning from the partners in these stores as we always do across the country,” said the spokesperson. “Starbucks success— past, present, and future—is built on how we partner together, always with Our Mission and Values at our core. “Our belief is that we are better together as partners, without a union between us, and that conviction has not changed,” the letter continued. “Rossann Williams, evp and president, North America, has also shared with our partners that we respect their right to organize and will bargain in good faith.” This isn’t the first time Starbucks has collided with its workers in New York. Recently, New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli filed shareholder proposals with portfolio companies Starbucks Corp., video game company Activision Blizzard Inc., and Tesla Inc. requesting reports on their efforts to
prevent harassment and discrimination against employees and the steps taken to improve the situation. Starbucks has just resolved allegations made by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission regarding racial bias in employee promotions and that they didn’t protect employees from harassment. “No one should be subjected to sexual harassment, racial discrimination or bias in the workplace,” DiNapoli said. “When companies turn a blind eye to abuse by their executives, managers, employees and customers, they perpetuate the harm and put in-
Starbucks workers in NYC and around the country have filed petitions to form unions (Courtesy of: Starbucks.com)
vestors at risk. These three companies have all had sexual harassment or racial discrimination controversies and we are seeking a full accounting of what they are doing to stop these abhorrent behaviors and what it’s costing the companies.”
Labor throws support behind Letitia James
This month, New York State Attorney General Letitia James has shored up endorsements from several unions. Last week, 199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East and 32BJ SEIU endorsed the AG in her re-election bid. Citing her support for the working class and the average New Yorker, 1199SEIU President George Gresham praised James: “Whether it be supporting home health aides or protecting nursing workers during the pandemic, she has always used her platform to fight for better wages and improved working conditions for New Yorkers,” stated Gresham. “Like she has stood with us in every fight, we are proud to stand with her as she continues the important work she champions on behalf of working families each and every day.” 32BJ President Kyle Bragg said that James advocates for the downtrodden
and voiceless. “From Day 1, Tish has been unwavering in her support for our members,” said Bragg. “She has marched with us, advocated for us, and has taken on fights in the interests of all working New Yorkers. We remain grateful to her for dedication to protecting New Yorkers, and we look forward to getting out the vote to support her re-election.” For her measure James, who was once rumored to run for governor, returned the praise in-kind. “1199SEIU and 32BJ represent some
Attorney General Letitia James (Bill Moore photo)
By STEPHON JOHNSON Special to the AmNews
of the hardest working New Yorkers I’ve ever known, and I am proud to have their support,” James stated. “We have stood together to advocate for the fair pay and safe working environments these essential workers need and deserve, especially in the midst of this pandemic. I look forward to continuing the fight to safeguard the rights of working people across this state.” James has gotten endorsements from other unions such as the New York State AFL-CIO, the Transportation Workers Union (TWU), New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), the Hotel Trade
Council, and the New York State Nurses Association and the Retail, Wholesale and Development Store Union (RWDSU). “As our attorney general, Letitia James has fearlessly taken on some of the most powerful interests to protect workers and ensure they are treated with the fairness and respect they deserve,” stated RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum. “She has fought for better pay, safe work standards, and even recouped millions for workers who were cheated out of their hard-earned pay. I know she will only continue to proudly serve us as the People’s Lawyer…” “Elected officials have a responsibility to serve the people, and I am honored to earn the support of the Building Trades, RWDSU, and NYSNA, unions that fight so hard for working people every day,” James stated. “The pandemic has underscored the importance of our workers and the imperative to make sure they have the protections they need and deserve.”
