Abi Scheppmann remembers the first Red Cup Day she worked at a Starbucks six years ago. “It was crazy,” she said. Red Cup Day is one of Starbucks’ biggest annual events. The company gives out free reusable plastic red cups to customers, if they buy a holiday-themed beverage. The cups feature that year’s holiday season […]
Iowa workers
Posted inCommunity/News
Regents walk out as UI grad student workers protest for ‘a real raise’; Reynolds announces $1.8 billion state budget surplus
The Iowa Board of Regents meeting at the University of Iowa’s Levitt Center on Wednesday came to an early and abrupt end as members of UI’s graduate student union staged a protest to demand a living wage. A leader of the Campaign to Organize Graduate Students (COGS) called out, “What do we want?” as union […]
Posted inFood & Drink
LV Recommends: Morning Bell Coffee Roasters, Iowa’s only worker-owned cafe, keeps Ames fresh and focused
“Take your time, let me know if I can help with some recommendations.” The barista with the circle-rimmed glasses and well-trimmed mustache who greets me at Morning Bell Coffee Roasters (111 Main St Suite 101, Ames) seems to clock my coffee novice immediately. Still, they’re patient and accommodating, which I appreciate more than they’ll ever […]
Posted inCommunity/News
It’s full steam ahead for Iowa City Starbucks employees moving to unionize
Update: On May 11, workers at the downtown Iowa City Starbucks voted unanimously, 25-0, to unionize. Baristas and supervisors at the Iowa City Burlington and Clinton Starbucks store made history on March 27, filing a petition to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to form a union. They join the ranks of thousands of workers […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa has an ‘unprecedented number’ of unemployment claims and another new case of COVID-19, but testing remains limited
“We are seeing an unprecedented number of claims,” Iowa Workforce Development Director Beth Townsend said when asked about unemployment in Iowa at Gov. Kim Reynolds’ Friday afternoon press conference on COVID-19. “It’s pretty staggering to see the number of claims that we’re receiving,” Townsend said.
Posted inCommunity/News
Top five 2018: Workers in Iowa continue to fight the good fight
The last few years have been challenging for Iowa workers, and 2018 is no exception. In the face of these challenges, Iowans are fighting back to reclaim their rights and their state.
