Workers United

Strategic Organizing Center Issues Statement on Starbucks

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 5, 2024
Professional Services, Finance, Starbucks, Biophysical environment, Nature, Workers United, Annual general meeting, Strategic Organizing Center, SOC, SBUX

The Strategic Organizing Center (the “SOC”), a shareholder of Starbucks Corporation (Nasdaq: SBUX) (“Starbucks” or the “Company”), today issued the following statement:

Key Points: 
  • The Strategic Organizing Center (the “SOC”), a shareholder of Starbucks Corporation (Nasdaq: SBUX) (“Starbucks” or the “Company”), today issued the following statement:
    The SOC launched our campaign for change at Starbucks this past November because we believed the Company’s response to its employees’ attempts to unionize was misguided.
  • Starbucks also took the significant step of providing employees represented by Workers United with the May 2022 benefits, including credit card tipping.
  • We also believe Starbucks’ establishment of its Environmental, Partner and Community Impact Board Committee represents an important governance reform, one which we hope will increase board oversight and performance on Starbucks’ partner-related issues.
  • 1 The New York Times: Starbucks and Union Agree to Work Out Framework for Contract Talks , By Noam Scheiber (Feb. 27, 2024).

Strategic Organizing Center Issues Statement on ISS Recommendation

Retrieved on: 
Friday, March 1, 2024
Retail, Professional Services, Food, Beverage, Finance, Annual general meeting, Proxy, Starbucks, Participation, BLUE, Nature, Government, Workers United, ISS, Strategic Organizing Center, Annual, SOC, SBUX, Management

The Strategic Organizing Center (the “SOC”), a shareholder of Starbucks Corporation (Nasdaq: SBUX) (“Starbucks” or the “Company”), today commented on the recent report published by Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (“ISS”) in relation to Starbucks’ upcoming Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”).

Key Points: 
  • The Strategic Organizing Center (the “SOC”), a shareholder of Starbucks Corporation (Nasdaq: SBUX) (“Starbucks” or the “Company”), today commented on the recent report published by Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (“ISS”) in relation to Starbucks’ upcoming Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”).
  • “While ISS acknowledged the validity of a number of our arguments in its report, we disagree with the view that board change is not currently needed at Starbucks.
  • ISS also concurs that shareholders should be concerned by Starbucks’ share price performance since unionization efforts began.
  • Further, we agree with ISS that the recent announcement of Starbucks and Workers United committing to a path forward is meaningful progress.

The SOC Details Why Board Change is Needed to Fix Starbucks’ Broken Approach to Labor Issues, Rehabilitate its Reputation and Help Maximize Shareholder Value

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 25, 2024
Retail, Professional Services, Food, Beverage, Finance, American Bar Association, Public policy, Policy, Multimedia, Failure, Starbucks, Ministry of Labour, Government, Strategic Organizing Center, SOC, Coffee, Student, Workers United, NLRB, Compensated emancipation, SBUX, Annual general meeting, National Labor Relations Board, Letter, BLUE, Workforce, Light, Nature, Audit committee, Management

We believe the current Board has tolerated an unacceptable level of reputational risk, a counterproductive approach to labor issues and a flawed allocation of resources.

Key Points: 
  • We believe the current Board has tolerated an unacceptable level of reputational risk, a counterproductive approach to labor issues and a flawed allocation of resources.
  • You can support this change and be part of ensuring Starbucks returns to the right path for the future.
  • We urge you to use the enclosed BLUE proxy card to vote “FOR” each of the SOC Nominees today.
  • If elected, we expect the SOC Nominees to work constructively and effectively to recalibrate the Company’s approach to its labor issues, rehabilitate its reputation and maximize shareholder value.

Strategic Organizing Center Comments on Starbucks’ Recent Efforts to Reframe its Track Record of Human Capital Mismanagement

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
Courts, Public Policy, Government, Retail, Advocacy Group Opinion, Labor, Food, Beverage, National Labor Relations Board, Schedule, Annual general meeting, SBUX, Principle, Letter, NLRB, Administrative law, Participation, BLUE, Proxy, Strategic Organizing Center, Trade, Workers United, Nature, SOC

Joshua Gotbaum and Wilma Liebman – for election to the Starbucks Board of Directors (the “Board”) at the upcoming 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”).

Key Points: 
  • Joshua Gotbaum and Wilma Liebman – for election to the Starbucks Board of Directors (the “Board”) at the upcoming 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”).
  • The SOC is a coalition of labor unions, including the Service Employees International Union (“SEIU”).
  • Notably, Starbucks’ own report, released on December 13, 2023, states that the Company did not understand or give consideration to its labor rights commitments in the context of recent organizing.
  • Since November 2021, the NLRB has issued over 120 complaints against Starbucks, covering about 420 charges of violating federal labor law.

TEAMSTERS SUPPORT STARBUCKS WORKERS ON STRIKE

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
UPS, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Service Employees International Union, 2021 Teamsters Union Election, International, Movement, Starbucks unions, Starbucks, Workers United, Coffee

WASHINGTON, Nov. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Brotherhood of Teamsters is strongly encouraging its Joint Councils and local unions nationwide to stand in solidarity with Starbucks Workers United during unfair labor practice strikes scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 16.

Key Points: 
  • The Teamsters Union represents workers throughout the supply chain who make Starbucks' overall operations possible.
  • "The Teamsters Union is proud to encourage all of our affiliates to stand with Starbucks workers," said Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien.
  • "Starbucks' Board and executives can only ignore the collective voices of thousands of Starbucks workers for so long.
  • Starbucks Workers United has organized more than 9,500 workers at 368 stores across 42 states over the past two years.

Second-Class Minimum Wage becomes Law in Ontario

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, April 7, 2022
Employment Standards Act of British Columbia, Employment, Uber, National, Legislation, Postal, Government, Employment Standards Act, Workforce, Time, Canadian Union of Postal Workers, CUPW, GWU, An Act Recognizing the Equality of the Two Official Linguistic Communities in New Brunswick, Workers United, Ford Motor Company, Workplace, NDP, Collective bargaining, Ridesharing company

While the Ford Government touts items in Bill 88 regarding pay transparency and other items that may arguably improve some working conditions, its key feature is minimum wage for time on 'assignment.'

Key Points: 
  • While the Ford Government touts items in Bill 88 regarding pay transparency and other items that may arguably improve some working conditions, its key feature is minimum wage for time on 'assignment.'
  • In other places where app employers have successfully lobbied for a minimum wage for engaged time only, app-based workers have ended up earning less.
  • "We know gig workers around the world who have dealt with minimum wage for 'engaged time,'" says Jennifer Scott, president of Gig Workers United.
  • Minimum wage for time on assignment sets a standard for app-based delivery workers lower than the provincial minimum wage.

* ATTENTION JOURNALISTS, EDITORS AND AWARDS COORDINATORS * // Call for Entries: Canadian Hillman Prize for Journalism, Deadline: January 15, 2022

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 9, 2021
CBC, Television, Toronto Star, The Hillman Prize, Social change, Workers United, Public policy, The Hamilton Spectator, Journalism, CBC Radio, Calgary Herald, Movement, Hamilton, SEIU, The Sidney Hillman Foundation, Battle of Mam Garvia, Sidney, Radio, Toronto, TVO, Travel, New Deal, Globe, Crackdown, Social justice, Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, Edmonton Journal, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Edmonton, Hillman, Calgary, The Globe and Mail, Clothing

TORONTO, Nov 9, 2021 /CNW/ - The Sidney Hillman Foundation is now accepting nominations for the 2022 Canadian Hillman Prize honouring excellence in investigative journalism in service of the common good.

Key Points: 
  • TORONTO, Nov 9, 2021 /CNW/ - The Sidney Hillman Foundation is now accepting nominations for the 2022 Canadian Hillman Prize honouring excellence in investigative journalism in service of the common good.
  • The Hillman Prize celebrates print, digital and broadcast reporting that highlights social or economic injustice and hopefully leads to meaningful public policy change.
  • Winning entries will be judged on the following criteria:
    Eligibility: Entries must be published or broadcast in 2021 and have been made widely available to a Canadian audience.
  • Nominated material and a cover letter explaining how the entry meets the requirements can be submitted here .

Gig Workers: "Gig Work is Real Work"

Retrieved on: 
Friday, October 8, 2021
Park, Ontario Federation of Labour, Queen's Park, Bill of Rights, Gig worker, Gig, Workplace, Postal, OFL, Ford Motor Company, Canadian Union of Postal Workers, Queen, Kensington Market, Technology, CUPW, Decent work, Workers United, Creative industries

While Gig Workers United was rallying at Queen's Park to promote the Gig Workers' Bill of Rights a joint initiative with the Ontario Federation of Labour at least two banner drops, one on the freeway and one on Kensington Market rooftop, carried the message "Gig work is real work.

Key Points: 
  • While Gig Workers United was rallying at Queen's Park to promote the Gig Workers' Bill of Rights a joint initiative with the Ontario Federation of Labour at least two banner drops, one on the freeway and one on Kensington Market rooftop, carried the message "Gig work is real work.
  • Their recommendations will directly affect the future of gig work in the province, but the gig economy's workers were not among those leading the inquiry.
  • "All workers, not just gig workers, need to be concerned about employment standards and we need a public discussion around this."
  • "Workers in standard employment relationships, ask yourself: if gig work is cheapened and relegated to a subclass of workers, how long will it take your employer to see the advantage of employing gig workers instead of regular employees?

Habitat for Humanity Mid-Ohio Workers Demand Union Recognition

Retrieved on: 
Friday, October 23, 2020
Trade unions in the United States, Trade unions, Canadian Labour Congress, Change to Win Federation, Dupont Circle, Service Employees International Union, Workers United

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Frustrated by staffing shortages, pandemic pay cuts and poor management, hourly employees at Habitat for Humanity Mid-Ohio demanded that Habitat Mid-Ohio CEO E.J.

Key Points: 
  • COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Frustrated by staffing shortages, pandemic pay cuts and poor management, hourly employees at Habitat for Humanity Mid-Ohio demanded that Habitat Mid-Ohio CEO E.J.
  • The workers are organizing with the Chicago and Midwest Regional Joint Board of Workers United (CMRJB), a union with approximately 4000 Ohio members that is affiliated with the 2-million-member Service Employees international Union (SEIU).
  • CMRJB Workers United Manager Kathy Hanshew said in a statement, "We are proud to stand with the workers of Habitat of Humanity Mid-Ohio.
  • I implore Mr. Thomas to do the right thing and recognize his workers' union immediately."