Together We Win: The Fight to Organize Starbucks

[CrazyCheeseMagee]

7 people are scabs.

[adryroseinbloom]

Fellow barista from the currently non-unionized Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf in California here... ya'll are an inspiration!!!

Until the day when workers are in full control -- fight on!

[ahumancertainty]

@adryroseinbloom Hey, I am a fellow CBTL employee and I want to help start a unionization campaign. Let's get in contact if you're serious about this. Solidarity!

[dukachevy]

Solidarity from Washington D.C.

Keep on fighting.

[Larkin1907]

Go IWW!

[TAGBANGERZ]

Starbucks is an evil corporation. all this is true, they promote an ethical image as a corporation that is completely false. They treat employees terrible, no consideration to their SURVIVAL. insane scheduling and minimum hours. Customers encouraged to complete online "reviews" in lieu of free beverages so corporate can take the complaints out on employees, making them feel they are not living up to expectations. Baristas can't afford healthcare. I got 8 hours this week, maximum availability!

[ORDENILLUMINATI]

Keep up the fight comrades!

[asgher786]

the guy wearing the white hat looks like mike bibby

[poleske]

You people are Heroes. the hearts and souls of millions around the world are with you.

SOLIDARITY

[ameshabyebye]

long live workers of the world....

Starbucks is a zionist run corp. that supports israhell and its occupation of palestine and the palestinian people by donating large sums of money to the israhelli government which is of course skimmed off of its workers' wages and benefits....Down with zionist warmongers!!

[Reyludd]

solidarity from argentina!!!

long live the workers fight and the IWW!!!

smash the fucking capitalist bastards!!!!!

[rastaman108037]

Why does starbucks need a Union? Can't you lazy morons get real jobs?

[pinkchuhuahua]

I am a two year partner

Was supposed to get a 70 cent raise every 6 months

I started at 7.15 now im at 7.80.

I beg for hours and only get 37.

[FrankeeFraud]

Oh great! That's all Starbucks needs- a bunch of unambitious, lazy employees that can never be fired. Don't like your jobs? Quit!

[MarxBakuninMe]

Don't like the "lazy" employees? Go somewhere else!

[pookypoo77]

this is a JOKE! everytime i have gone to starbucks i have gotten the WORST service! Generation Y'ers talking on their cel phone and have a chip on their shoulders. they are rude to customers but when their friends show up they put on a smile. A Union for people who brew coffee? this is ridiculous. That doesnt take a college degree to brew coffee.

its a JOKE. Starbucks sucks!

[jackriter]

Then you do it.

[MarxBakuninMe]

I respectfully suggest that you be a bit more open minded and take into account the fact that S. has many many employees and they are not all "rude to customers". Everyone who works deserves to be in a union - whether they brew coffee or perform brain surgery. And perhaps if you had a little more respect for your fellow man you might get treated more politely yourself. Because you sound like a bit of a brat.

[Reyludd]

you and you retrograde mentality sucks, daddys boy.

[buddhagem]

Great job!

[leftovergreg]

Troll. This will be my final comment to you. You have a narrow boss mentality, and are completely fine with the wage system and its faults - which considers neither effort or social contribution - therefore your arguments will always reflect that. Starbucks CEO is nothing without the workers. But the workers can still run and maintaine a coffee shop at the end of the day. Who needs who? down with ALL bosses. Everyone a worker. Everyones needs met. I say.

Peace (Not a hippie.)

-greg

[icedthai]

Starbucks is a part time sort of job. The un-educated don't deserve better jobs. With that aside, Starbucks treats their employees much better than most companies.

Everything they say is a lie. The real problem is the leeches known as "Union Representatives". Who pays the unions? The workers! These union organizers are just drumming up trouble so they can take a slice out of the workers' pays.

Screw unions! No worker should be forced to pay union dues. This isn't the 1800s.

Screw unions!

[leftovergreg]

Everyone deserves better jobs, education is irelivent the dignity of a human being(plus most SB's workers are students).

The workers are the union, and this is especially true with the IWW(the sb's workers union) - The dues ones pays as part of the IWW goes direclty to builiding both the local and international organization. I encourge us all to join the union - IWW forces no one to pay dues, the workers are the organizers, and we are organizing not just for better pay, but for a better world.

[icedthai]

No. People who apply themselves and work hard deserve a better job, you have to earn it. Typically union contracts require employers to not hire/fire people who aren't staying in the union. They fight for the employees but take their cut. They are parasites left over from the 1800s. They hurt more than help.

Check Opposition To Trade Unions wiki

ps $tarbucks is known for treating their employees extremely well compares to other jobs. This video is east coast centric and full of lies.

[leftovergreg]

Suprise! but I agree when you say: "people who apply themselves and work hard deserve a better job" or at least better renumeration (we ALL deserve dignity and respect)- workers should be getting back from the economy according to their efforts contribution to it. Not happening!

[leftovergreg]

Also: Typically, IWW does not sign contracts with employers - the owners are the ones stealing from our labor in the 1st place, why would we cut a deal with them? IWW is NOT a trade union. Who is the parasite? the blood sucking boss, or the workes who's lives, efforts, energy, creativity is stolen from them everyday they work for the boss?

[leftovergreg]

Also: Typically, IWW does not sign contracts with employers - the owners are the ones stealing from our labor in the 1st place, why would we cut a deal with them? IWW is NOT a trade union. Who is the parasite? the blood sucking boss, or the workes who's lives, efforts, energy, creativity is stolen from them everyday they work for the boss?

"$tarbucks is known for treating their employees extremely well compares to other jobs" -the lesser evil is still an evil. down with ALL bosses.

[icedthai]

Down with all bosses! Up with living in squalor! Stupid dirty hippy, smoking pot and living on a commune. Abdicate yourself!

It's not always true, but these workers get what they deserve in pay. Baristas are the last on the list that need pay assistance. Boo hoo. Go get a real job and make real contribution.

Starbucks employees don't even know how to make coffee drinks. They just push a button on a machine. No talent asshats who think they have the right to that which they have not earned.

[boilerbrojoe]

My bro worked long hours, longer than at starbucks, helping organize this union for no pay whatsoever. He didn't do it because of some lazy worker's sense of entitlement. He did it because he was trying to help the workers Starbucks was throwing scraps to, under the guise of "compassionate capitalism"

[boilerbrojoe]

...You're right, this isn't the 1800s. Thirteen year olds aren't getting their hands wrenched off. We are where we are because of unions. Unionism is Democracy. It may have problems that need to be fixed, but it will ALWAYS be the right choice over the alternatives.

(The End!)

[IWW610]

Solidarity from Rock Island IL.

[kittiest34]

all workers should join unions that are not co-opted by corporations or the government.

We should have organized labor in america.

[NabilQuwatli]

We get 2.40 per h. lol lol lol.......... here

[starrstruknn]

So you say 43% of Starbucks partners are insured; think of that statistic and look at the majority of people who work there. A. Part time college students who are most likely on their parents insurance. B. Husbands or Wives who are on their spouses insurance and just need a part time job. So yes I believe that when you factor in those the statistics are pretty good.

[julayok]

So what you're saying is that Starbucks does not pay enough for their employees to be financially independent?

[starrstruknn]

no I am not saying that.

[PianoGirlLara87]

I am.

[starrstruknn]

There are many insurance options also. There are so many great things Starbucks does for their partners, farmers and community; health care, Stock, 401K, tuition reimbursement, Adoption Assistance, One free pound of coffee each WEEK, 30% discount, also many other partner perks that very few know about but could find out about very easily if you just talk to a manager. Im proud to be a partner and I love my job.

[julayok]

I leave you with an equally empty comment as you left below: do your research, buddy. Baristas can't pay for health care, can't afford to contribute to a 401k, can't afford to go back to school, even with tuition support. Discount on coffee? If I worked for SB, I'd be insulted.

[julayok]

sorry, my comments were not being posted in reply to the appropriate comments, which were starrstrucknn's

[PianoGirlLara87]

I called in to start up my benefits the other day(after I was promoted to shift manager and could FINALLY afford it) and they told me that I was too late and I have to wait for August to roll around before I can sign up again. I need to see a doctor about some problems I have (that have become worse since I started there) I can't do any of the other benefits because I simply can't afford it with my current pay. I feel like I was slapped in the face.

[nuclearnight]

That happened to me last year, almost 2 years without health care has really been hard. Luckily I've enrolled this year, but it's almost impossible for me to afford, luckily my partner has offered to chip in and help.

It's relieving to see other people going through the same things. I hope your health is okay. Another coworker of mine (a shift) recently had to go to the emergency room without health insurance, now she's living off of bagels and can't afford to enroll for insurance this year.

[PianoGirlLara87]

Well, I signed up for them for this open enrollment, but I'm worried that with rent, car payment, cell bill, and car insurance (PLUS GAS!), that I'm not going to be taking much home.. so sad.. they really need to start thinking about the cost of living (especially in LoCo, where it's going up big time) and compensating us pay wise for it. They have enough in the bank that they can raise our pay. And I'm in the same predicament - except I'm living off Ramen (much cheaper than bagels).

[nuclearnight]

Have you heard about this new program where they are going to start giving bonuses to baristas when the stores exceed their goals? It's really angering to me, and my coworkers are all excited about it! To me it's like this, they don't give us a raise, they don't increase our hours, they have us work harder to increase their profits and then we get a tiny pittance for it. They definately can pay us living wages, it's incredible that they don't.

[nuclearnight]

BTW, I'm sorry you're going through that financial hardship, I know what it's like, everyone is feeling it at my store.

[PianoGirlLara87]

A pound of coffee a week? Sure, it's nice, I am able to give friends/family coffee all the time, but that doesn't pay the bills. I can't go to the technical school because I can't afford it (so no reimbursement if I can't afford it), stock/401k, can't afford it w/ my pay. And I'm a barista, and you've listed all the benefits we get. There aren't any "secret" benefits no one knows about, other than the things you listed.

[starrstruknn]

My advice to you get a second job if you aren't making it. I work my ass of and go to school and still somehow manage to pay all of my bills by myself with only one job; a shift supervisor at Starbucks.

[starrstruknn]

There is absolutely no reason at all why Starbucks needs or should have a Union. Unions in America were created to protect the LABOR workers! Do your research people; a retail/coffee house with a union, unheard of and absolutely absurd. Go bust McDonald's who's wages are considerably lower than that of Starbucks. . Of course partners in NY aren't going to be able to live off of one job, the cost of living in major cities is considerably more than anywhere else.

[julayok]

This is empty of content, and it does not respond to any of the concerns raised.

[NickInjecton]

I'm shocked to see so many people getting down on people for wanting higher wages and more hours. Whats wrong with improving your situation? We all have to work, so why not work at a fair wage?

This country is full of docile slaves. Happy to bow down to and defend their masters for the privilege of working for them. Without any sense to their own worth they happily give up all dignity and justice for the illusion of whats fair and and the illusion being part of a 'team'.

[Ridiculousdreams]

If this union goes through and i lose my AMAZING benifits b/c of some greedy winey people then i will know that stupid people rule the world!

[Ridiculousdreams]

I'm glad you take care of your own and i hope you take them far away from starbucks. Also if you worked for starbucks you would know how to spell it and know that we are all partners.

[anarchowill]

starbcusk is the nations #1 coffee house. they can afford to support there people. i think you people here saying "we don't need a union" don't really know what the benifits of union jobs are.

i'm in the United Association and its amazing we take care of our own

[Ridiculousdreams]

I dont care what the benifits are because i get enough of them from my employer STARBUCKS and i believe in Starbucks and Howards vision. Starbucks does support their partners and offers benifits that most companys dont. I think you "union starbucks people" dont embrace starbucks policys and procedures and dont uphold the starbucks standards.

[Ridiculousdreams]

The fact is Unions take the legs out of the employers and want you to pluck from the hard earned money in the employer's wallet and put it into the wallets of the Union

[Ridiculousdreams]

First of all we don't need a union, and you can get hours at other stores if you want the hours you can find them. As well as overtime has to be approved by a manager it states that when you read the partner handbook, it also states you are not gaurenteed hours. As a Barista and a shift you recieve tips and are only taxed for .50 you get a raise of 1-3% every 6 months a cheap health plan as well as stock and 401k why don't you go dig diches and then you'll see when you need a union.

[eradicateblacks]

HERE IS THE TRUTH..Sbux starts at $8.50 an hour, there is no "Busser" position. The girl with a PENTEGRAM on her chest is not going to be accepted as Sbux "Culture". You either conform or you don't fit. There is a certain type of person that works for Sbux, and you either work there because of the "trend", or because of the "benefits", from part time employment, tuition reimbursement, health care. Those on the Sbux side are those who can afford $10 a day in coffee.

[Dykonoclast]

How much is Starbucks paying y'all to troll youtube and post comments on image-threatening videos to say how great they are?

[Evidently you can't post links in youtube comments or I'd cite my sources]

[badnewsbarista]

there's also no such thing as a "buser" at starbucks. you are either a barista, shift supervisor, ASM, or SM. there's no other job.

[badnewsbarista]

if you have such a problem with how much you're making, GET A BETTER EDUCATION, AND GET A BETTER JOB. starbucks is NOT NOT NOT responsible for paying your way through life.

[darkedgexxx]

You're right, it's not like Starbucks should feel a morale compulsion to give back to the communities that made it the giant mega-corporation that it is today. Everyone's just in it for themselves right? Just business. Who cares what the living conditions of your workers are, you're rich! If everyone gets a better education someone is still going to be stuck with the Starbucks job, someone is still going to be getting shafted.

[PianoGirlLara87]

That is the dumbest comment I've ever read. They're not responsible for paying for our life? Well, if you're a worker for their business, they should pay your accordingly. What, do you think I'm going to volunteer for starbucks?

[nuclearnight]

Testify.

[Danielzenebechsisay]

For every cup of coffee that's sold around the worled today, Ethiopia should have claimed some sort of commission as it is the origin of coffee bean.Coffee been, the second best traded comodity next to petrol, Ethiopia should have the coffee trade marked at it's birth. Emagine what ethiopia would be worth today.Surely soon or later justice has to prevail for those poor farmers who are been loughed at by starbuck and co.for every 100kg they produce they are getting a single beans worth

[4rged]

It's hilarious when workers think that getting tips is actually a benefit. It's basically the company forcing you to "charm" the rest of your wage out of the customers rather than get paid properly to begin with. If voting changed anything it would be illegal. Striking does, so (for the most part) it is.

[espressoninja]

Bitch, I make $10.67 an hour PLUS TIPS!!!...and I have problems not going over 40 hours a week!! I've seen plenty of other regular partners take over 40 a week, too!! Love the pentagram on the fat chick. It's not possible to "rig" a till to be short by ANYONE if all and Safety & Security procedures are followed. This is a bunch of crap. I love my job and wouldn't have stuck with it for 2+ years if I didn't think that they took care of me, my co-workers, and my community.

[lbcdemon]

After two years you only make $10? You seriously need to re-evaluate your situation. Starbucks makes multi billions while you are only making $10 after 2 years. They should be starting out at $12 given how many coffee shops they put out of business and how much they make. Maybe if you were unionized you wouldn't be making that shit.. You might have a living wage. Live Better, Work Union. Solidarity Wobblies.

[badnewsbarista]

that's the most ridiculous thing i've ever heard. for what you do, starbucks pays you MORE than any other place would. pick on some other company, starbucks definitely takes care of its partners, and if you knew what you were talking about i wouldn't have to tell you that.

[lbcdemon]

Do you say "thank you masta" when they give you your 10 shillings?

[buddhagem]

partners, ha. That was a riot. I'm sure the employees at starbucks feel like partners. Oh thanks for the laugh

[banway22]

We are partners...we get granted stock shares for staying with the company. I got 40 after being there a year. Free money. There are NO employees at Starbucks.

[PianoGirlLara87]

That's a false statement. Sheetz STARTS at $11/hr just to stand at a register and push buttons. We do more than that at Starbucks and we start off much much lower than that.

[thedeadcellist]

Your experience does not match that of everyone, and is certainly not guaranteed by the company. It certainly isn't the case for most baristas in New York City.

[AnarchyDavey]

Organizing works!

[camcorder4598]

i think your comment is funny because of your screen name