32 protesters arrested outside Northern Nevada Starbucks facility

By Mark Robison, Reno Gazette Journal

About 30 union members were arrested the morning of Monday, Dec. 15, after police said protesters blocked the main truck entrance to a Starbucks roasting plant in Minden.

A second protest was planned Monday afternoon at a Reno Starbucks coffee shop on South McCarran Boulevard.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said it was advised of the Minden protest and that protesters began arriving about 5:40 a.m. to block the main truck entrance to the facility.

“Dozens of delivery trucks turned away from the picket line at the distribution center in Minden as picketers protested Starbucks’ serious and unresolved labor law violations,” a Starbucks union news release said.

An estimated 75 protesters attended.

“At approximately 8:30 a.m., multiple announcements were made to all protesters advising them to leave Starbucks property or face arrest for trespassing,” the sheriff’s office said. “Several protesters remained near the main gate and refused to leave Starbucks property.”

Starbucks Workers United reported that 31 baristas and one former barista were arrested. It told the RGJ that all baristas work at stores serviced by the Carson Valley Distribution Center.

The 32 protesters were arrested on suspicion of trespassing after police said they refused to leave the property.

“These individuals were removed from the area and issued citations in lieu of physical arrest,” the sheriff’s office said.

By 10:15 a.m., the facility was reported clear of protesters.

A second protest was planned at 3 p.m. Dec. 15 at the 6890 S. McCarran Blvd. Starbucks location.

Starbucks Workers United, which represents employees at about 550 of the chain’s estimated 17,000 U.S. locations, has been on strike since Nov. 13.

Reno’s South McCarran and Lakeside locations have unionized staff.

Calling it the Red Cup Rebellion, the union says its strike has grown to 3,800 baristas at more than 180 stores and that workers are protesting Starbucks’ alleged union-busting efforts and “failure to finalize a fair union contract.”

Starbucks confirmed that its Reno Lakeside location is temporarily closed and that its Northern Nevada outlets experienced no disruptions Monday as a result of the activity at the distribution center.

“As we’ve said, 99% of our 17,000 U.S. locations remain open and welcoming customers — including many the union publicly stated would strike but never closed or have since reopened,” Starbucks spokesperson Jaci Anderson said in a statement. “Regardless of the union’s plans, we do not anticipate any meaningful disruption. When the union is ready to return to the bargaining table, we’re ready to talk.”

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect