GR Starbucks employee firing triggers global protests (WOODTV8

[Cole]

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Grand Rapids is in the center of a series of global demonstrations against Starbucks after a local employee was fired for union activity.

The July 5th protests focus on the firing of barista Cole Dorsey because of union activity. This firing comes in the midst of Unfair Labor Practice investigation by the National Labor Resources Board against Grand Rapids' Starbucks.

This is part of a global movement against Starbuck's anti-union policies. Starbucks and its CEO Howard Schultz have been firing outspoken union baristas ever since the start of the International Workers of the World Starbucks Workers Union in 2004.

"On July 5th people around the world will show Starbucks that we, baristas along with our supporters, will have a voice and Starbucks discrimination and repression of our efforts will not go un-checked", Cole Dorsey said in a statement released to the media.

The protests will take place in Argentina, Chile, the British Isles, Italy, Japan, Norway, Serbia, Poland, Slovakia, 4 cities in Spain, 6 cities in Germany. In the US: Phoenix, Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, New York City, Los Angeles.
Locally, the protest begins Saturday at 4 p.m. at the Starbucks located at 2757 East Beltline.