Resolution in support of unions at Starbucks and Amazon
WHEREAS union is a fundamental American right, and;
WHEREAS union is the most effective tool to bring Americans toward middle class, and;
WHEREAS union is a bulwark against racism, bigotry and discrimination, and;
WHEREAS Amazon is run by a billionaire who uses its profits to indulge in outlandish stunts such as sending himself into space, and;
WHEREAS Starbucks is run by a billionaire who feels “assaulted” by union, and;
WHEREAS it is the actual people who work at Amazon and Starbucks who create the capital that have made those companies billions of dollars, and;
WHEREAS Amazon and Starbucks employees worked through the pandemic, and;
WHEREAS working people at Amazon and Starbucks deserve to share in the profits of their company, and;
WHEREAS both companies could afford to pay all of their employees a living wage and still make extravagant profits for their CEOs, and;
WHEREAS working people at Amazon and Starbucks deserve and need a voice in their working conditions, be it therefore;
RESOLVED, that the United Federation of Teachers
- support the newly created Amazon and Starbucks unions;
- oppose efforts by Amazon to overturn unionization;
- will provide financial support to the Amazon and Starbucks unions;
- will stand and demonstrate as necessary with Amazon and Starbucks unions including turning members out to local actions especially including Starbucks sip-ins; and
- will do everything within our power to replicate these monumental union victories.