Senator Bernie Sanders has thrown his support behind workers at 100 Starbucks stores across America - backing those calling for better conditions and the right to form unions.
The 81-year-old self-styled “democratic socialist” was among those supporting workers’ calls to boycott the international chain for the duration of the strike.
Those taking part in the strike action, which has resulted in the temporary closure of Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz’s local coffee shop in Seattle, say they are seeking better working conditions, and that the company stop what it says are anti-union habits.
“I stand in strong solidarity with Starbucks workers on strike today,” Mr Sanders wrote in Twitter.
“It is absurd that Howard Schultz — a guy worth BILLIONS of dollars — is pulling out all the stops to deny decent wages and dignity on the job to the very workers who helped him amass his wealth.”
More than 1,000 baristas at 100 stores are planning to walk out, according to Starbucks Workers United, the labor group organising the effort. The strike will be the longest in the year-old unionisation campaign.
This is the second major strike in a month by Starbucks US workers. On Nov 1 workers at 110 Starbucks stores held a one-day walkout that coincided with the company’s annual Red Cup Day, when the company gives reusable cups to customers who order a holiday drink.
The union says the strike is intended to draw attention to unfair labour practices, including closing stores which have voted to join the union, such as the first store in the company’s Seattle hometown to vote for such a union.
“Starbucks Workers United is the union drive that has taken the labour movement by storm,” the union says on its website.
“We are a union of Starbucks Workers, by Starbucks Workers, for Starbucks Workers, organising with the support of Workers United. Starbucks workers have formed more new unions in a 12-month period than any US company in the last 20 years.”
More follows….
