Program 20: 'The Empty Chair' Replay - Starbucks Workers Unionize!

THE EMPTY CHAIR - In the face of America’s increasingly powerful corporate class, young Starbucks employees have set in motion a unionization campaign that has swept the nation. This underdog story follows the queer and trans workers behind the union as they navigate victories and defeats and, in the process, breathe life into the labor movement.

The title of the film comes from a chair that is set aside in every Starbucks board meeting to "represent" all the retail workers at the company. The chair is left empty and when workers ask for an actual seat at the table, they are denied. Starbucks' respect for the voices of workers is surface deep and purely symbolic. (1 hr 26m, 2023, Director: Jay Goldstuck)

Short to precede:

STREETS OF CHANGE - Amid a worsening housing crisis in the UK, Streets of Change exposes the harsh reality of homelessness, where the average age of death is 46 for men and 42 for women. This film challenges public perceptions by bringing to life the stories of "rough-sleepers" and the outreach workers who support them. It explores the complexity of the homeless and urges viewers to see beyond stereotypes. Through personal insights and real-life narratives, Streets of Change sparks crucial conversations, challenges stigmas, and inspires compassion and action. (30m, 2024, U.K., Director: Judi Alston)

Host or Publisher Workers Unite Film Festival, Inc.