‘Workers of the World Unite!’ Striking Starbucks Worker Declares in Brooklyn

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“Workers of the world unit!” —striking Starbucks barista Rey Saho

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Editor’s Note: Striking Starbucks baristas kicking off the “Red Cup Rebellion” in Brooklyn on Nov. 13 had a lot to say about their struggle against CEO Brian Niccol. But they also had plenty to say about the struggle all workers are engaged in, too. Here’s barista Rey Saho on the subject. 

The only reason we have fair work week protections here is because fast food and retail workers in this city organized and fought for it. Throughout history the capitalist class has never given us anything. They didn’t give us a fair work week, they didn’t give us overtime pay, they didn’t give us minimum wage—we had to go and take it.

Ultimately, it comes down to power. We live in a time of unprecedented consolidation of power in the hands of a corporate elite that owns and controls every aspect of our lives. We work for them, we buy from them, we rent from them. So, we feel powerless, trapped, unable to escape them. When the truth is it’s the other way around.

Through our labors we set the entire machine in motion, creating and recreating a world every single day. They are the ones who are trapped. They cannot escape us because they need our labor. They need us. And that’s where our power lies.

When we organize and unite to form unions or to strike we create and flex our own power. This power is not bestowed from high above, by some unelected bureaucrat or privileged politician. It comes from within ourselves. We the workers have this power whether we realize it or not. But once we realize it, we can build this power up and use it against our bosses.

We have the power to take the future into our hands. This isn’t just about Starbucks or the fast food industry. This isn’t just about New York City, or the South, or even America as a whole—this goes beyond every employer, sector, and country. Every day, everywhere around the world workers go on strike to defend themselves agains the worsening conditions our bosses force on us. Every action, whether it’s a union vote, a walkout, or strike, is an act of rebellion against an unjust and exploitative system.

And whether our follow workers realize it or not, these acts of rebellion are battles in a broader war. So, it’s time we tap into our collective power and win. Not just at Starbucks, but everywhere. So, join us—workers of the world unite!