SWU is a branch of Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), which is a pro-worker and anti-capitalists entity. As such, the main reason behind establishment of SWU was to use it as channel for pushing Starbucks to enhance better working conditions on behalf of the workers. As noted in the article written by Greenhouse (2008), Starbucks fired workers who were strongly involved in SWU in 2008. SWU sued Starbucks, in response to the unfair treatment. The judge ruled in favor of SWU. The case provides a good example of the purpose of SWU. Sidney and Webb also came up with another theory, that unions apply the “divide of the common rule.” According to the theory, unions fight for better conditions or rights of all workers, including those who are
