February 21, 2022

Local 10 Members Support Fired Starbucks Workers

Starbucks has become quite popular over the past few years selling expensive coffee, tea and various types of drinks. In 2021, Starbucks sold over $29,000,000,000 in drinks, up from $23,000,000,000 in 2020. Part if this jump in revenue was due to a 13% jump in prices.

Two months ago at a Starbucks in Buffalo, New York, the workers organized a union. Their victory has led to organizing drives at 50 other Starbucks locations, including one in Memphis, Tennessee.

Earlier this month, Starbucks fired seven of its employees at the Memphis location. While Starbucks maintains the firing has nothing to do with the organizing drive, the seven fired employees made up most of the entire committee who were working on the organizing effort. Starbucks Workers United, the union representing Starbuck’s workers, called the act a blatant act of union busting.

UAW Local 10 members from Doraville, Georgia recently showed up in support of the seven fired workers. Marching and holding signs in support.

“The right to organize is a basic freedom for workers in the United State,” states Region 8 Assistant Director Tim Smith. “We applaud the efforts of our Local 10 members and encourage all Region 8 members to stand in solidarity with Starbucks workers.”