MEMPHIS, Tenn. — It’s been less than a week since seven workers said they were fired from a Memphis Starbucks for trying to unionize.
The ‘Memphis 7′ – that’s what social media is now calling the group of seven who were fired from the Starbucks on Poplar Avenue near South Highland Street.
SEE MORE: Starbucks fires Memphis workers planning to unionize after company says they broke policy
Nabretta Hardin, one of the seven, said it’s a title they’re still adjusting to.
“Some people been calling us the ‘Starbucks 7′. Some people been calling us the ‘Memphis 7′. I guess Memphis 7 kind of stuck,” Hardin said.
Since they were fired on February 8, they’ve stood outside the location protesting, and now, those protests are catching on across the country on Tuesday.
“I know Chicago, New York, and Seattle, for the most part, are going to be picketing tomorrow,” she said.
Hardin said although the support is from people locally as well as complete strangers, it feels good to know that their efforts to unionize won’t go unnoticed.
“It feels amazing because I know a lot of young people are definitely getting into this type of thing so it’s uplifting to know that people my age are willing to back me up with this, and it’s not just the older crowd, the young people are definitely getting more educated and knowledgeable on this topic,” said Hardin.
On Tuesday, Hardin said they’ll be picketing outside that location on Poplar Avenue from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Supporters took to Twitter to show solidarity with the ‘Memphis 7.’
Groups from cities including Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago and more encouraged others to join the workers’ protest.
✊Solidarity rally✊ w/ Starbucks workers THIS Tuesday 2/15 @ 8am ☀️ Starbucks HQ
— Matt Smith (@mattcaucus) February 14, 2022
We need escalating actions to demand reinstatement of the #Memphis7 and an end to Starbucks’ union-busting. @MLKLabor & every union should mobilize for this - an injury to one is an injury to all! pic.twitter.com/3WSuMukL6s
Union busting is disgusting!
— Portland DSA (@PortlandDSA) February 14, 2022
Tomorrow: 9 am at 16175 SW Walker Rd in Beaverton.
Rally and sip-in to tell Starbucks to rehire the Memphis 7, fired for union organizing. @SBWorkersUnited pic.twitter.com/PQOeOeStHZ
Chicago stands with the #Memphis7 and demand that their jobs be immediately reinstated - please stop by and show your support #1u #ToBeAPartner pic.twitter.com/Z6yVYnCuwE
— Fernando (@fernandoinchi) February 14, 2022
PHILLY! SUPPORT YOUR BARISTAS TOMORROW!
— Teddie (@TeddieRedder) February 14, 2022
Join the picket line at these FOUR Starbucks shops between 7am and 10am. We're not going to let union busting bosses get away with firing 7 @SBWorkersUnited organizers in Memphis.
I WANT TO SEE YOU OUT THERE ON THE STREETS!!! ☕✊☕✊☕✊ pic.twitter.com/quVAsUsu4w
TUESDAY tomorrow morning at 9:30am! Head to the Government center Starbucks at 63-65 Court St in Boston in solidarity with the Memphis 7 #SupportStarbucksWorkers pic.twitter.com/UAwmmLCZY0
— Boston DSA Labor Working Group (@BDSA_Labor) February 14, 2022
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