http://www.inthesetimes.com/archives/tags/starbucks/ In These Times features award-winning investigative reporting about corporate malfeasance and government wrongdoing, insightful analysis of national and international affairs, and sharp cultural criticism about events and ideas that matter. en-us Expression Engine jessica@inthesetimes.com seamus@inthesetimes.com Wed, 04 Oct 2006 05:00:00 -0500 http://www.inthesetimes.com/article/2851/starbucks_gets_wobbly/ When Joe Tessone and his fellow Starbucks baristas walked into a pep rally with management at their store in Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood in August, the bosses were ready. A trio of higher-ups passed around copies of the preamble to the constitution of the Industrial Workers of the World and warned the hourlies against the radicalism of the old anarchist-socialist One Big Union. The managers told the "partners"--the company's sobriquet for a workforce that baristas say is entirely part-time--that the CEO and chairman carry the same benefits package as the baristas. That argument didn't hold much water for Tessone. "It's the illusion of equality," he says. "Do they struggle to pay rent at the end of the month? Do they… Labor Starbucks Activism Susan J. Douglas