Starbucks Workers United raise awareness at SIU student center

CARBONDALE Ill. (KBSI) – Southern Illinois Democratic Socialists of America are in support of Starbucks Workers United at SIU student center.

The rally is dedicated to raising awareness of Starbucks employees being overworked due to labor violations.

Ken LeBlanc, who is a Starbucks barista and member of the National Bargaining Committee says, “Companies, specifically like fast food, they really work on a business model of employing and staffing as few people as possible to save labor costs.”

Luke Herron-Titus of Southern Illinois DSA says, “Today we’re just reaching out to our college students because they’re a huge part of this community.”

Both organizations, including Sunrise Movement, UAW, and UE have planned a call to mobilization on November 9, called Starbucks Union Red Cup Day.

“We are optimistic that throughout all of these actions we will see a resolution to this, and we will see that first contract.” according to LeBlanc. “This mass call will help them know what’s going on in their community and what they can do to have solidarity with us.”

Residents of Southern Illinois can get free support at workerorganizing.org from the Emergency Worker Organizing Committee.