By COLlive reporter
Jewish people, supporters of Israel, and those opposing the barbaric actions of Hamas have been boycotting the Starbucks chain of coffeehouses over Starbucks Workers United, publically supporting the Gaza-based terror group.
As reported on COLlive.com, Union chapters wrote “Solidarity with Palestine!” on social media, and promoted a “Long Live Palestinian Resistance” rally in Boston. This followed the brutal invasion of Hamas into Israel on Simchas Torah in which close to 1,500 Jews were killed.
Starbucks Workers United, an affiliate of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), expressed “Solidarity with Palestine!” in deleted social media posts.
On Wednesday, Starbucks Corp. filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. It stated that Workers United have no right to use the brand name, logo and intellectual property.
“The actions taken by the union have nothing to do with its representation of the minority of partners who voted for them to bargain on their behalf,” they stated. “In fact, their continued statements have led to Starbucks partners, including some they represent, being threatened and subjected to graphic messages.
“Such reckless and reprehensible behavior must be addressed through the lens of our partners’ safety and public clarity of Starbucks official position, which condemns the violence in the region. This position is apart from our continued commitment to good faith bargaining that we have insisted through hundreds of requests and unfair labor practice filings.
“Yesterday, Workers United President Lynne Fox rejected our request to take steps to ensure clarity and protect our partners. Today’s action is a necessary step in defense of our partners and our company. This action will not impede our unequivocal commitment to bargain in good faith.”
Howard Schultz, the former CEO of Starbucks, spoke with Duvi Honig, founder and CEO of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce. Honig led a campaign titled, “Drinking a Cup of Starbucks is Drinking a Cup of Jewish Blood.”
According to Honig, Starbucks “sent out a text message to all its employees immediately after the conversation, reaffirming its condemnation of terrorism and hate, clarifying that the statements made by Workers do not represent the views, positions, or beliefs of Starbucks and legal action would be taken against them if they do so.”
AJ Jones II, Executive Vice President, Chief Communications and Public Affairs Officer at Starbucks, wrote to Honig: “We strongly disagree with the views expressed by Workers United.”
“The Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce applauded Starbucks Corporate leadership, which took immediate action, filing a lawsuit against the union workers who support Hamas immediately and banned them from using the company’s name and logo,” Honig wrote in response.
“Starbucks made it clear that the actions and statements of Workers United belong solely to them and do not reflect the company’s stance or principles. Despite previous attempts to resolve the issue peacefully, Starbucks decision to take legal action to defend its corporate reputation and identify the stores who they are suing for support of Hamas and Jewish bloodshed.”
It took them a long time to, come out against, the workers. I guess the Jewish coffee drinkers, make a difference. They will probably close, because of loosing, biz.
I have not shopped there in over 10 years.
P.S. Be very careful what you buy, at Starbucks, Lately Kashrus articles, caution ‘vast majority of their drinks are either not Kosher at all, or Dairy/ DE’
It’s ok . Because not even a plain coffee from Starbucks is kosher.
Unless your a rov you can’t just paskin halachos like that. And so far I haven’t seen a rov which has said your NOT allowed to have a plain coffee there.
I worked there. The machinery is washed in the same dishwasher as their trays holding treif sandwiches and pastries.
If u actually knew what kashrus Halacha were u wouldn’t be the type of person working in Starbucks
there was an article in ok kosher in ami recentlly of what is and isnt okay. the refreshers are completely treif because they have grape juice.a plain black coffee is totally fine, as is some other drinks
Wake up my fellow friends stop buying Starbucks products, do it for Israel 🇮🇱 and for the sake of our sisters and brothers.
So why doesn’t Starbucks have any stores in israel…?
they had and closed them, there are better options
Nespresso is very big in Israel …stores and all.
They should raise money and give it to Israel to show they are sorry….not sure each other. The Jews in Israel don’t gain
Show us that those people get what they deserve until then we are not going to step in your store 🇮🇱
They can’t fire the workers. That would get them in big trouble with the NLRB. All they can do is sue the union for using their name and logo.
I’m not sure exactly why people are so angry at Starbucks because Corporate are suing the unions that were using their brand to be anti-Israel so this is actually a good thing.
Finally someone who can think for themselves and not just spew the hatred they were taught
I agree with you. If Starbucks is doing something to disassociate from the Pro-Palestinian haters who are trying to tie Starbucks and its logo to their despicable rants, they should be applauded and wished much success, not condemned. What inane message are you sending to other corporations who might follow Starbucks’ example; that Jews don’t appreciate companies who put themselves out for Jews? Truly foolish!!! As far as Starbucks’ kashrus is concerned, that is an entirely separate matter the kosher consumer should make an effort to clarify. It has nothing at all to do with the political situation Starbucks is… Read more »