Teamsters Leaflet Starbucks, Ann Taylor, Blue Tulip In Protest Of Printer Cenveo
Press release from the issuing company
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Teamster workers in Philadelphia, Boston, New York, St. Louis, Los Angeles and other cities leafleted Blue Tulip, Starbucks and Ann Taylor this weekend, calling on the gift and greeting card purveyor, coffee giant and the fashion retailer to support them in their fight for fair treatment from Cenveo, Inc. Blue Tulip, Starbucks and Ann Taylor are high-profile clients of Cenveo, one of the largest commercial printers in the world.
Cenveo, under new management headed by Chief Executive Robert Burton, has demanded deep cuts in health care benefits and worker protections. Burton has already slashed about 2,000 jobs and closed six Cenveo operations since his takeover in 2005. Under Burton's plan, more plant closings and layoffs are not off the table.
"Cenveo can't hide their ugly policies behind the fine products carried by Blue Tulip, Ann Taylor and Starbucks," said George Tedeschi, president of the GCC/Teamsters. "How Cenveo treats its workers is just plain wrong. We're asking Cenveo customers to join us in protesting this kind of unnecessary greed."
GCC/Teamster members in Philadelphia chanted, "Give benefits and job protections, not just style," to customers at Blue Tulip. "Give Style" is one of Blue Tulip's corporate slogans.
Tedeschi also noted that Cenveo made $135 million in profits in 2005, yet is demanding health care increases that will cost some workers in excess of $100 more a week while weakening their benefits.
"Cenveo workers are struggling with the same issues that all working families in America face: The skyrocketing cost of healthcare and the desire for a safe working environment," Tedeschi said. "We hope Blue Tulip, Ann Taylor and Starbucks will add their voices to ours."
Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union represents approximately 1,500 workers at Cenveo and more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States and Canada.