Business
Starbucks, Workers United Union Sue Each Other In Standoff Over Pro-Palestinian Social Media Post
A confrontation between Starbucks and the labor union that organizes its employees was initiated on Wednesday due to a social media post concerning the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Wednesday in federal court in Iowa, Starbucks filed a lawsuit against Workers United, alleging that an early pro-Palestinian social media post from a union account damaged its reputation and infuriated hundreds of customers.
In a lawsuit filed by Starbucks against Workers United for trademark infringement, the company demands that the organization cease using “Starbucks Workers United” to represent its employees in an organizing capacity. Additionally, Starbucks requests that the organization discontinue the use of a circular green logo resembling its own.
In response, Workers United submitted a petition to a Pennsylvania federal court requesting permission to continue using the name and logo of Starbucks. Additionally, Workers United claimed that Starbucks defamed the organization by suggesting that it condones terrorism and violence.
Two days after Hamas militants stormed communities in southern Israel on October 9, Starbucks Workers United declared “Solidarity with Palestine!” on X, formerly Twitter. In its lawsuit, Workers United, a Philadelphia-based Service Employees International Union affiliate, alleged that employees published the tweet without union leaders’ permission. The post was withdrawn after approximately forty minutes of existence.
Starbucks, Workers United Union Sue Each Other In Standoff Over Pro-Palestinian Social Media Post.
On X Wednesday, however, local Starbucks Workers United branches’ retweets and posts endorsing Palestine and denouncing Israel remained visible. Starbucks, headquartered in Seattle, initiated legal proceedings in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, alleging that Iowa City Starbucks Workers United was among the individuals who disseminated pro-Palestinian content.
Starbucks demanded in a letter to Workers United dated October 13 that the union cease using its name and logo similar to its own. Workers United responded that the Starbucks Workers United profile on X unambiguously designates the organization as a labor union.
Workers United President Lynne Fox stated in a letter to Starbucks, “Starbucks is attempting to capitalise on the ongoing tragedy in the Middle East to bolster its anti-union campaign.”
In its lawsuit, Workers United noted that unions, including the Amazon Labour Union and the National Football League Players Association, frequently use the company name of the employees they represent.
Starbucks, Workers United Union Sue Each Other In Standoff Over Pro-Palestinian Social Media Post.
Starbucks reported receiving over a thousand complaints regarding the union’s post. The coffee behemoth headquartered in Seattle reported that employees encountered hostile customers and received threatening phone calls. Spray-painted Stars of David and a swastika adorn the storefront windows of a Rhode Island establishment.
Several legislators, including Florida Republican Senator Rick Scott, advocated for a boycott of Starbucks.
Rep. Randy Fine, a Republican from Florida, tweeted on October 11, “By patronising Starbucks, you are endorsing the killing of Jews.”
Starbucks’ official statements regarding the conflict have conveyed condolences to the innocent victims in Gaza and Israel.
Starbucks, Workers United Union Sue Each Other In Standoff Over Pro-Palestinian Social Media Post.
In a letter to employees last week, executive vice president of Starbucks Sara Kelly said, “Starbucks unequivocally condemns acts of hatred, terrorism, and violence.”
Workers United has not yet released a statement of its own. However, the SEIU, the organization’s parent organization, stated on Tuesday that “all Israelis and Palestinians deserve safety, freedom from violence, and the opportunity to flourish” and that it has many members with family on both sides of the conflict.
Since August 2021, Starbucks Workers United has been operating under that identity, just a few months before the unionization of its inaugural Starbucks location in Buffalo, New York. Since then, at least 366 Starbucks locations in the United States have voted to unionize. The campaign instigated a surge of labor demonstrations, including Amazon employees, Hollywood writers and actors, and auto workers.
However, Starbucks has not reached a labor agreement at any of its unionized locations and does not support unionization. Due to the contentious nature of the procedure, employees have organized numerous disruptions. According to the NLRB, 38 decisions have been rendered by federal district judges and administrative judges who have determined that Starbucks engaged in unjust labor practices. These practices allegedly involved the postponement of negotiations and withholding benefits from unionized employees.
SOURCE – (AP)
Business
Sonic the Hedgehog Dominates Christmas Wish Lists
Sonic the Hedgehog is dominating Christmas wish lists this year. The lovable blue hedgehog is back in the spotlight, from sonic the hedgehog toys and games to sonic the hedgehog coloring pages and movie hype.
Sonic-themed holiday merchandise is on fire, from quirky sweaters to action figures flying off shelves. Sonic the Hedgehog Christmas outfits for kids are selling out fast, making them a go-to gift option for festive fun.
Retailers have been quick to recognize Sonic’s holiday appeal. Special promotions and exclusive items, like the Sonic holiday t-shirts, are everywhere.
Everyone’s stocking up on Sonic merchandise, from big-box stores to boutique retailers.
Online shopping platforms are seeing a surge in searches for Sonic items. Whether it’s Sonic Christmas-themed tops or Sonic the Hedgehog coloring pages, Sonic the Hedgehog toys or Sonic and the Hedgehog 3, the demand is skyrocketing.
Retailers who tap into this trend are sure to see strong holiday sales.
Sonic has been around since the early 90s, but his popularity never wanes. With the release of Sonic 3, fans are more excited than ever.
Sonic the Hedgehog 4
Meanwhile, Paramount Pictures is preparing “Sonic the Hedgehog 4,” with the newest addition in the family-friendly genre set for a spring 2027 release.
The announcement comes as “Sonic 3” opens in theatres on Friday, estimated to gross $55 million to $60 million from 3,800 North American locations.
The sequel is shaping up to be a good holiday season blockbuster for Paramount, which explains the desire in future “Sonic” adventures. On the international front, the film will be released on Christmas Day in 52 markets.
On Rotten Tomatoes, critics gave “Sonic 3” an outstanding 87% fresh score.
The first two films grossed a total of $725.2 million at the global box office and generated over $180 million in global consumer expenditure through home entertainment rentals and digital purchases.
They also inspired a spinoff Paramount+ series, “Knuckles,” which premiered earlier this year.
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Business
Amazon Strike Called By Teamsters Union 10,000 Walkout
An Amazon strike has hit facilities in the United States in an effort by the Teamsters union to pressure the corporation for a labour agreement during a peak shopping season.
The Teamsters union told the Associated Press that Amazon delivery drivers at seven facilities in the United States walked off the job on Thursday after the firm failed to discuss a labour contract.
According to the union, Amazon employees in Teamsters union jackets were protesting at “hundreds” of additional Amazon facilities, which the union billed as the “largest strike” in US history involving the company.
The corporation, which employs over 800,000 people in its US delivery network, stated that its services will be unaffected.
It was unclear how many people, including members of Germany’s United Services Union, participated in Thursday’s demonstration. The Teamsters union reported that thousands of Amazon employees were implicated in the United States.
Amazon Strike at 10 Locations
Overall, the group claims to represent “nearly 10,000” Amazon strikers, having signed up thousands of people at roughly ten locations across the country, many of whom have joined in recent months.
The organization has claimed recognition from Amazon going on strike, claiming the firm illegally neglected its obligation to bargain collectively over salary and working conditions.
The Teamsters is a long-standing US union with nearly one million members. It is well-known for securing lucrative contracts for its members at companies like delivery behemoth UPS.
Most of the Teamsters’ Amazon campaigns have concerned drivers working for third-party delivery companies that partner with the tech behemoth.
Amazon denies that it is liable as an employer in those circumstances, which is a point of legal contention. In at least one case, labour officials have taken a preliminary stance in favour of the union.
Stalled Contract Negotiations
Amazon employees at a major warehouse on Staten Island in New York have also chosen to join the Teamsters. Their warehouse is the only Amazon facility in the United States where labour officials have formally recognized a union win.
However, the Amazon strike is because contract negotiations have not progressed since the 2022 vote. It was not one of the areas scheduled to go on strike on Thursday.
Amazon, one of the largest employers in the United States, has long received criticism for its working conditions and has been the target of activists seeking to gain traction among its employees.
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Business
Amazon Encounters Numerous Strikes As Unions Aim At The Holiday Shopping Surge.
(VOR News) – Thousands of Amazon employees at various sites across the country were scheduled to go on strike on Thursday in an effort by the Teamsters union to pressure the retail behemoth to acknowledge its unionised workers in the United States.
The walkout is expected to concentrate on seven Amazon locations across the country during the holiday purchasing surge and may be the most significant union action against Amazon in the nation’s history.
The business announced on Thursday morning that there had been no effect on operations. It also stated that it is “continuing to concentrate on fulfilling customers’ holiday orders.”
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters maintains that it represents more than 10,000 Amazon employees and contractors in aviation centres, warehouses, and delivery centres.
Amazon has refused to acknowledge the union for many years.
The retail giant, which employs approximately 1.5 million individuals, excludes contractors and part-timers. A strike has been initiated by delivery couriers and warehouse employees at seven distinct locations in order to exert pressure on the company to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement that would encompass modifications to compensation, amenities, and working conditions.
Picketing was intended for New York, Atlanta, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Skokie, Illinois.
Also, the Teamsters assert that they are establishing picket lines at “hundreds” of additional warehouses and delivery centres by encouraging non-unionized workers to picket under U.S. labour law, which protects workers’ ability to take collective action to further their interests.
“Amazon workers are exercising their power,” Randy Korgan stated to NPR.
“They now realise there is a pathway to take on a corporate giant like this – and that they hold the power.” Amazon responds by accusing the Teamsters of fabricating information regarding the strikes, asserting that the participants are “entirely” outsiders rather than employees or subcontractors of the corporation.
Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel stated that “the reality is that they were unable to secure sufficient support from our employees and partners and have invited external parties to harass and intimidate our team.” For more than a year, the Teamsters have been intentionally misleading the public by claiming to represent “thousands of employees and drivers.” They do not.
The Teamsters did not provide a specific duration for the strike; however, they informed NPR that it would extend beyond one day. Workers would receive $1,000 per week in strike money, as per the union.
Teamsters President Sean O’Brien issued a statement in which he stated, “If your package is delayed during the holidays, you can attribute it to Amazon’s insatiable greed.” We established a firm deadline for Amazon to attend the meeting and treat our members equitably. They disregarded it.
The Teamsters granted until December 15 to convene with its unionised employees and develop a collective bargaining agreement.
Amazon has opposed all unionisation efforts in court, asserting that unions were not advantageous to its employees and emphasising the compensation and benefits that the organisation currently provides.
Amazon has been accused of discriminatory labour practices on numerous occasions, including the termination of labour organisers. Furthermore, it has disputed its official status as a contract employer.
Teamsters organize Amazon delivery couriers and other employees.
In June, Amazon established its first unionised warehouse in Staten Island, New York, two years after making history by voting to join the fledgling Amazon Labour Union, which is also affiliated with the Teamsters.
The union is one of the most influential in the United States and Canada, with 1.3 million members. On Thursday, the German United Services Union declared that Amazon employees in Germany would participate in a strike in conjunction with their American counterparts.
In the past, Amazon has experienced demonstrations in Germany and Spain that were related to the holiday season in order to advocate for improved wages and working conditions.
“The holiday season has arrived.” Delivery is anticipated. Patricia Campos-Medina, the executive director of Cornell University’s Worker Institute, asserts that “this is the moment in which workers have control over the supply chain.”
The Teamsters have reported that Amazon’s profits have increased both during and after the pandemic. The corporation is currently valued at over $2.3 trillion, with net income of $15 billion in the most recent quarter alone. It is the second-largest private employer in the United States, following Walmart.
SOURCE: NPR
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