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We have just learned that IWW member Daniel Gross, one of the Starbucks workers in New York City that has helped spark a national campaign to organize the world’s largest coffee chain, is under attack.

Fellow Worker Gross was served yesterday at work with a two page final warning before termination filled with outright falsehoods and blatant distortions of fact. As the Labor Board is currently investigating unfair labor practices by Starbucks, it is clear that the company, on the advice of its union-busting lawyers, is “packing the file” before a seemingly inevitable firing.

The most serious allegation against Daniel like all the others is provably false. The company maintains that Daniel obstructed the entrance and exit of customers at a Starbucks where he participated in a union rally. The occasion was a protest at the home store of Fabian Vera, the manager that has served as a full-time union buster at the location where Daniel works. Workers and supporters were informing employees and customers at the store that Mr. Vera had engaged in intimidation and harassment as part of Starbucks’ all out assault on the union effort. An IWW member was videotaping the event and the tape shows conclusively that Mr. Gross was not blocking the entrance. Everyone present at the rally can attest to it as well. Of course, Starbucks has no interest in the truth but merely wants to silence one of the workers organizing to rise out of poverty.

Tellingly, this same week Daniel made a public statement regarding the NLRB’s acceptance of Starbucks’ appeal of the decision that enabled an election at a single store in the chain. Because the acceptance of the appeal would cause a several year delay, workers were compelled to pull their petition for an election in favor of a direct action approach to win demands in a meaningful time frame. Starbucks had hoped they could beat the union with its crude legal weaponry. Daniel confirmed though that workers will fight on until respect and dignity are won.

If Starbucks feels enough pressure, we believe Daniel’s termination can be averted. He could be fired anytime so it’s absolutely critical to take action NOW before it’s too late. Please accept our urgent request for solidarity by taking the following actions:

1. Contact Candace Nunnally the District Manager that served Daniel Gross to demand that he not be terminated and that the company respects the right of all workers to form a union. Tell her you are committed to taking actions against Starbucks if Daniel is fired including boycotting the company if the workers call for it. Call her repeatedly until she gets the message at 212-613-1280 Ext. 2216. You can also e-mail her repeatedly at [email protected].

2. Contact Starbucks Headquarters and tell them the same. Call them repeatedly at 800-235-2883 to make sure they get the message.

3. If you are planning to be in New York City for the Republic National Convention, attend the protest condemning the Bush Administration’s intervention on behalf of Starbucks against the IWW. Saturday Aug. 28 at 2 pm at the Starbucks on 36th and Madison in Manhattan.

4. Distribute this message widely and encourage others to participate

Starbucks Workers Union of the IWW IU/660

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