Company expects any disruption to be brief and says when union is ready, ‘we’re ready to talk’
By Bob Seidenberg
Evanston’s Dempster- Dodge Avenue Starbucks store became one of the focal points of a “Red Cup rebellion” held in Chicago and cities throughout U.S. as workers protested issues such as staffing levels and low pay, and the company’s refusal to settle a fair work contract.
More than 100 workers and supporters from 10 to 20 stores in the Chicago area began picketing outside the centrally-located store, starting at 5 a.m., said Conner Brennan, a union delegate with Starbucks Workers United (SWU), the union representing the workers.
Brennan had been shift supervisor at the Main Street Starbucks which was closed permanently in a corporate restructuring just over a month ago.
He said Dempster-Dodge was picked on the basis of which stores were most strike ready and for its geographically central location in the Chicago area.
He said the strike at the Dempster-Dodge store is to continue indefinitely, with workers gathering outside pressing for a contract.
The company maintained Thursday that it is seeing “very minimal disruption” as a result of the picketing and predicted any disruptions to local stores will be brief.
Former mayoral candidate Jeff Boarini and First Ward Alderperson Clare Kelly were among those from the city joining workers in their effort.
”I hope we can gather the whole city council to stand in support,” said Kelly.