Dear John,

 

Late last year, Starbucks workers in Buffalo formed the first Starbucks union in the U.S.

 

I just got off a call with three of the baristas at that store—Jaz, Rachel, and Michelle—and I am so inspired by the nationwide campaign these young people have activated.

 

Just last week, two Starbucks stores in Seattle—home to Starbucks HQ—announced plans to unionize. And on January 31 alone, 16 Starbucks stores filed for union elections in one day. That brings the count to 59 Starbucks stores nationwide petitioning for union elections. Let me be clear: This is an historic moment we’re witnessing. Not just for Starbucks employees, but for workers across the country.

 

But now Starbucks HQ is waging a massive, subversive anti-union campaign across the country—sending out-of-town managers and even corporate executives into stores in order to spread lies about unions.

 

We have a plan to fight back. Our team is working directly with baristas and organizers, providing the support they need to win these union votes, while using our huge online platform to expose Starbucks’ union-busting, debunk the myth that baristas are just high school kids earning extra money, and shed light on what it's really like to work in these stores.

 

Will you chip in right now to power our efforts to support the Starbucks workers across the country fighting to unionize?

For years, Starbucks has sold itself as a progressive, socially responsible, worker-friendly company, offering consumers the soothing reassurance that in buying their products, they were advancing the common good.

 

Bullsh*t.

 

Corporations exist to enrich their shareholders and executives—even if it means paying low wages and subjecting workers to poor labor conditions. And Starbucks is no different.

 

As the head of Starbucks raked in nearly $15 million last year, the average Starbucks barista is making just $14 an hour, or $28,000 a year.

 

With videos, posts, and live interviews, we’re helping to ensure Starbucks’ PR veil of “social responsibility” is lifted. And we’re exposing its reprehensible worker practices that the media fails to report on: poverty wages, scant benefits, a high-stress work environment, and more.

 

Enough. It’s time to support Starbucks workers and help them form unions to fight back.

 

John, if the Starbucks workers across the country succeed in forming unions, they have the potential to unleash massive union organizing efforts across the restaurant industry—one of the least unionized industries in the country.

 

That’s why we’re going all-in on this fight. Will you join us? Chip in whatever you can to expose Starbucks’ abuses and help Starbucks workers form unions all across the country.

 

These young barista activists give me such hope, in terms of both what today’s youth can and will accomplish, and a resurgent labor movement.

 

Join us in the fight.

 

In solidarity.

 

Robert Reich

Inequality Media Civic Action

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