This week, I decided to read scholar John Logan’s piece High-Octane Organizing at Starbucks. This piece was a useful look into the recent history of how Starbucks Workers United organized beginning in 2021 in Buffalo, NY, with special attention to Starbucks’ union busting techniques. The piece also discussed the unique flexibility of the SBWU organizing model, which I would like to share with viewers. It is useful because it is a grassroots model, beginning with individual workers in different stores connecting with one another. It is highly adaptable to different workplaces because it is dependent on the existing relationships workers have with one another; a sturdy base to join together upon.
Truthfully, I wish I had read this piece earlier. Logan’s work aligns well with what SBWU have shared with me and I’m learning specifics about Starbucks anti-union activities that will be useful in my own documentary. I’ve been thinking a lot about how I want to shape my documentary in a way that’s useful. I spent a lot of time so excited about the union’s roots that I hadn’t put as much thought into the present reality of what SBWU is facing: a David and Goliath battle against a giant international corporation. While I worry that it might be harder to convince people to organize when they see how hard it is, I think it’s also important to be honest about the challenges and I know SBWU thinks they can win – I want them to win because I want all of us to have more control over our working lives.
During the workshop, we ran out of time and I wasn’t able to get feedback on my moodboard, but I got very positive feedback on the questions I plan on asking the union and the Starbucks representative (if they’ll talk to me!) For my proof of concept, I plan on putting together the footage I’ve already shot and maybe an interview? If not an interview I’ll provide narration over the protest footage I’m shooting this Thursday.
Work Cited:
Logan, J. (2022). High-octane organizing at Starbucks. New Labor Forum, 31(3), 36-42. https://doi-org.libproxy.temple.edu/10.1177/10957960221117829