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CAW Local 3000 Members At Starbucks
Bargaining > Bargaining by Company > Starbucks > CAW Local 3000 Members At Starbucks



CAW LOCAL 3000 MEMBERS AT STARBUCKS


UNION GIVES STRIKE NOTICE AFTER COMPANY REFUSES "WRITTEN RECOMMENDATIONS" ASKS MEDIATOR TO BOOK OUT



April 25, 1997

At the Labour Relations Board last Monday the Union, after a number of hours of discussion, offered Starbucks "a way out" of both the Distribution Centre crisis that they created and the impasse in collective bargaining. We proposed the following:

- three days of negotiations with the assistance of both the present mediator, Debbie Apps and the Associate Chair of Mediation, Brian Foley. The Company also had to come to the table with a WAGE OFFER. Following these negotiations we proposed that the mediators make written recommendations. Under the process of written recommendations both sides are obligated to take a vote on the principals:

i.e. Starbucks Howard Shultz or his designate

CAW Local 3000 Starbucks employees represented by the Union

Starbucks refused and so the Union now has asked the Mediator to "book out" and we have served seventy-two hours strike notice. As we are under Section 55 proceedings the Associate Chair of Mediation determines when the Parties are in a legal position to exercise their mandate. In his letter to the Parties, Mr. Foley states that the strike/lockout option will be legal "just after May 14th". This is not uncommon if written recommendations are rejected by one side as an option. Earlier today I concluded a first collective agreement a couple of hours before the notice had legal effect. This was at Link Technologies in Delta. Oh, by the way, that Company was threatening to close its doors too but the membership held firm - 125 workers were involved.

At last Wednesday's meeting it was nice to see our members support the combination of the unstrike at the retail outlets and picketing at the Distribution Centre. This was originally planned for May 1st if we were in a legal position but this has been nixed at least until May 15th.

HARGROVE TO MEET YOUR NEGOTIATIONS COMMITTEE AND LOCAL UNIONS' LEADERSHIP.

Our National Union President, Buzz Hargrove will meet with our Union Negotiating Committee and the Lower Mainland CAW Local Union leadership this Wednesday at our Union Hall in New Westminster.

After his assistant, Peggy Nash, and the undersigned gave a report to our recent CAW National Leadership Conference in Ontario and Buzz said "if Starbucks does not return to the table and deal with the key issues including wages we may have to organize a boycott" (of course when we are in a legal position to do so).

A worldwide boycott of Starbucks would only be as a last resort. However, Starbucks has to realize with closure of the Distribution Centre and its failure to bargain in good faith with our Union the result is a boycott. We will not only rely on the strength of our membership at Starbucks but on the entire support of the labour movement around the world.

UNION NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE TO ALSO MEET CLC HEAD - BOB WHITE

On Saturday afternoon at our Union Hall (May 3rd) Bob White will meet with your Committee. In addition to heading up the Canadian Labour Congress, Bob is an officer of the International Confederation of Trade Unions. We know we can count on Bob to get the word out on Starbucks conduct in negotiations to date.

GENEVA DELEGATES HEAR FIRST HAND

CAW Local 3000 President, Denise Kellahan, spoke of the announced closure of the Distribution Centre and the other key issues in bargaining to the Food Union's world wide Congress in Geneva, Switzerland a couple of weeks ago. She has made some invaluable future contacts. Seventy-four countries from around the world attended the Congress.

GUATEMALAN LABOUR EDUCATION SUPPORT GROUP CONTACTS CAW

Stephen Coats informs us that Starbucks wants a meeting soon with his Chicago based group after his group threatened a boycott of Starbucks for its failure to enforce its Code of Practice for coffee growers in Guatemala.

Stephen seemed to be really upset with the announced closure of the Distribution Centre just after our successful strike vote. He has asked us for more details about our dispute.

LRB HEARING MAY 7TH - 9TH

The adjudication side of the Labour Relations Board will begin to hear sworn evidence on the Union's complaint concerning of the Company's illegal lockout and bargaining in bad faith surrounding the announced closure of the Distribution Centre and the failure of the Company to produce a wage offer to date as well as its illegal proposal on benefits.

These hearing take place at the Labour Relations Board which is located at Library Square. They are open to the public but have very limited seating unfortunately.

'CITIZENS IN SUPPORT OF STARBUCKS WORKERS' BEING FORMED

Since the public announcement of the closure of the Distribution Centre we have had lots of calls. This has resulted in a 'Citizens Group' being formed to support you.

For better future wages and conditions and in solidarity,

On behalf of CAW Local 3000,

Roger Crowther, National Representative


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