I just found out that Starbucks workers are organizing. Woo Hoo!!!
The union started in New York City and has since expanded to Chicago and Rockville, MD. It is time to put your city on that map. The IWW Starbucks Workers Union has been instrumental in winning increased wages, improved scheduling, and reduced safety hazards (to name just a few of their accomplishments). In addition to organizing baristas, the Starbucks Union as launched the Bean to Cup campaign which is fighting the exploitation of coffee farmers. You can learn more and/or join at www.starbucksunion.org/
Granted, most of us on this tribe probably don't drink at Starbucks, but take a handful of flyers along next time you crave a latte. If you are a closet Starbucks addict, just think how great it would be for your regular barista to know that you think they should get the pay, working conditions, etc that they deserve.
The union started in New York City and has since expanded to Chicago and Rockville, MD. It is time to put your city on that map. The IWW Starbucks Workers Union has been instrumental in winning increased wages, improved scheduling, and reduced safety hazards (to name just a few of their accomplishments). In addition to organizing baristas, the Starbucks Union as launched the Bean to Cup campaign which is fighting the exploitation of coffee farmers. You can learn more and/or join at www.starbucksunion.org/
Granted, most of us on this tribe probably don't drink at Starbucks, but take a handful of flyers along next time you crave a latte. If you are a closet Starbucks addict, just think how great it would be for your regular barista to know that you think they should get the pay, working conditions, etc that they deserve.
posted by:
|
SF Bay Area
|
-
Re: Starbucks Workers Union
Wed, February 14, 2007 - 9:23 PMI don't know if it's different in Canada verses the US but I think Starbucks is unionized up here. Even if they aren't, they have health plans (which includes prescription drugs and a variety of treatments not covered by our universal health coverage) and a whole wack of other benefits. One of my friends works there and she loves the employee benefits.
If the US Starbucks don't have the same benefits, I hope that this campaign gets them what the workers up here already have...
-
-
Re: Starbucks Workers Union
Thu, February 15, 2007 - 11:51 PMI checked with my friend and she says that the stores are not all unionized, but the non-union stores all have a drug plan, dental plan, sick benefits, coverage for massage therapy and lots of other stuff.
-
-
Unsu...
Re: Starbucks Workers Union
Fri, February 16, 2007 - 7:17 AMGood news.
But I thought workers got organized according to their occupation or industry, not according to their employer.
Why not a barista's union? -
-
Re: Starbucks Workers Union
Sat, February 17, 2007 - 8:36 AMthat is a good question. maybe the starbucks union, if it is successful enough, will morph into a baristas union. like retail, i don't think people keep their barista jobs long enough to join a union, they just get a different job. -
-
Re: Starbucks Workers Union
Tue, February 20, 2007 - 2:23 PMI was discussing this exact point to my friend. If only one employer unionizes in an industry, the other businesses end up cutting them out of the market because they are cutting more corners and can offer better prices. If an entire industry unionizes, we then see prices across the board actually reflecting the real cost of running an ethical work place, and there are no back doors available for one business to put others out of business for playing nice.
-
-
