Starbucks Coffee Update

In the last issue of Synapse we reported on a campaign launched by the US/Guatemala Labor Education Project to pressure Starbucks coffee company into adopting a "code of conduct" for coffee workers in Guatemala. We are happy to report that the campaign was a success! Starbucks has decided to formulate a code of conduct that will address such issues as the freedom to organize unions, improved housing, child labor policies and increasing the minimum wage. Hopefully, the other coffee companies will follow Starbucks' lead. Eventually, Starbucks plans to extend the code of conduct to its worldwide operations, which could affect 500,000 rural coffee workers.

Congratulations to all of you who responded by writing to the president of Starbucks. Your efforts paid off, and you made a difference!

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