Memphis 7: Starbucks workers fired after attempt to unionize sparks nationwide protests

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.

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