Fired Starbucks Worker-Organizer Austin Locke Speaks Out Against Union Busting

We look at the ongoing struggle to unionize workers at Starbucks franchises across the US. Starbucks Workers at 316 stores in 36 states have filed to unionize despite Starbucks’ aggressive anti-union campaign. So far, 201 Starbucks stores in 32 states have won union elections. Just 40 stores have lost an election. In retaliation, Starbucks has been union-busting. Among other tactics, they have fired worker-organizers and sometimes even closed down stores. Austin Locke, a key Starbucks organizer, was fired from Starbucks on July 5 just five days after his store on Starbucks at Ditmars Blvd and 31st Street in the Astoria, Queens won their union election 7-4. He speaks with us about his experience and updates us on the union fight.