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
CAW Communications
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