Weeelll, I don't know about y'all, but I think I've had my fill of the bullsh*t we go through here. And I don't believe that we should feel compelled to give up our jobs and go somewhere else. After hearing and reading so much hullabaloo and brouhaha regarding the Leadership Conference, it just makes me really believe that it's time to "take back the cafe".
My question is this: how can we utilize this site to level the playing field? A walk-off? Send the link to Uncle Howie? Write a manifesto????? I don't know, but if we all put our beans together, I'm confident that we'l make an IMPACT! Any suggestions?
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How can we use this site to our ADVANTAGE?
(53 posts) (12 voices)-
Posted 4 years ago #
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I think you are on to something DARKROAST. If I was still with the F'd up company I would be in. Good luck in whatever you all decide to do.
Posted 4 years ago # -
DARKROAST.... I am here with ya. Anyone else? I think we should do something too. But what? I just don't know. Hmmmm.
Posted 4 years ago # -
My 2 cents worth from the wrong side of the world - I think we should take the new mission statement and accompanying pricples (which someone published on StarbucksGossip) and write a manifesto of how a company that is honouring those princples would behave towards their staff. We are all adults we know the company has to make money but you can do that without treating staff the way the 'Bux is at the moment.
Then we can put it up on MyStarbucks Ideas so that it is in the public domain as well as sending it to HR/DMs/His Howie-ness. Actually all of the above!
Posted 4 years ago # -
FarFlung... that is a great idea. I have actually sent idea's via that site before on the starbucks website. :) Darkroast???
Posted 4 years ago # -
Farflung.........PURE GENIUS!
By posting the new Mission Statement and a manifesto "tellin 'em how it is", we are putting the issue in plain view of the general public and letting them know the truth! Maybe then Sbux will be compelled to live up to their principles! Starbucks Gossip is the perfect place to take this, BTW.Posted 4 years ago # -
I am happy to help with writing and stuff but being a)no longer with the company and b) in NZ I can't get at the new mission statement and princples. If one of you guys can grab them off the portal if you ever get a minute and post them we can get started on how a company that honoured them would behave then write it into a manifesto of requirements.
Posted 4 years ago # -
All I know is if Sbux smells any scent of unionizing, the ax comes down.
...which I guess is more in response to the 'what do you have to do to get fired' thread. Simple: Mention forming/joining a union.
Posted 4 years ago # -
This is not a "union" we are merely holding the company to the standards it sets itself.
Posted 4 years ago # -
No need for unionizing...we can get around that.
Farflung, thank you for taking one for the team- I will get that mission statement for you.
There's too many of us-they can't get us all!Posted 4 years ago # -
The new mission statement is right on the bux website. I read it there today.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Yeah I finally found it myself just hadn't looked recently enough.
OK so to work! I will be needing to pick people's brains as I go along.
First question to everyone: What does a good store look/feel like? What happens from a staff and customer perspective that makes it a good store?
Posted 4 years ago # -
Anyone wanting to take part in some sort of 'concerted action' (that's legalese there, meaning basically meaning 'doing stuff together') on this site should probably set up a second account so Starbucks won't be able to figure out who they are based on past posts.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Oh I totally agree. What does everything think?
Posted 4 years ago # -
I've been careful to not say and/or go back edit (delete) stuff I've said that might "give me away"... though I just shared an anecdote that, were someone from my store on they'd probably know... but maybe what I said could happen anywhere... and based on others' posts that's a pretty good possibility :P
But if we opened a diff. account... how would we know who is who?
Posted 4 years ago # -
Hmm... not sure how to do that. Any ideas? I think the only thing I have said that could give me away is the state I live in, but seriously, there are a THOUSAND stores here in this state. :)
Posted 4 years ago # -
Hey, how do you edit stuff you have already said on here? Is that what you mean, blacksheep? Or do you mean edit it before you hit "post"...
Posted 4 years ago # -
I'm quite happy to set up an email so we can take this off the boards if people would be more comfortable with that. I will also post it to StarbucksGossip/MyStarbucksIdeas but it would have more impact coming from one of the US based partners.
As to being identified myself it worries me not at all, I'm not saying anything that I haven't said to the company in slightly more diplomatic terms. I would still be there trying to change the system from the inside if my busted knee didn't mean that I can't stand for 5 minutes never mind 5 hours.
Posted 4 years ago # -
How do we preserve anonymity if we move this discussion to an alternate location?
I'm thinking that since Sbux can't get IP addresses from the Mods (as cited by Quique), we could remain here, maybe using different pseudonyms. Sbux wouldn't dare try to retaliate once "the curtain's been pulled back" and risk accumulating more negative PR-theyll be in hot water already.
Farflung, I'm in California. What can I do to help?Posted 4 years ago # -
I am working on writing something up at the moment and I will toss it up once I have a draft for comments. I think it is during that editing phase we may need to move to email.
I am hoping to have a first draft up in about a week!
Posted 4 years ago # -
I don't think that you can get fired for unionizing, that would be retaliation and hence illegal. I did look into the international workers party or something like that through a link posted on some folks in new york that formed one.. I researched it through the company and they advise talking to your SM first, the post also said that those that have unionized are a "small group of disgruntled former employees" I printed out the enrollment for myself then I realized I'm driving myself crazy for **** pay and quit!
Posted 4 years ago # -
formerfrustrated, you don't get fired for unionizing, you get fired for other **** that has nothing to do with unions, just "your performance" or you at a biscotti without paying for it... it happens all the time. McDonald's and Wal-Mart are notorious for having anti-union plants and when there's talk they release the hounds and people get the ax without it involving [their] union activities.
Posted 4 years ago # -
So we really should toss the union idea on the back burner for now. We've now discovered a way to express our grievances without inviting a bunch of problems.
@farflung, I can't thank you enough for your dedication to the "movement"!Posted 4 years ago # -
While we're talking about using the site to our advantage, the IWW/starbucks union in Minneapolis is planning a day of action on black friday. If there's anyone in Minneapolis, or other locations who would like to help out, let me know, or just show up. We'll be meeting and rallying at Lake and Hiawatha for 15 minutes, then heading to the Mall of America and picketing on the (yes, there's only one) public sidewalk there for a cost-of-living increase, and economic transparency in bean purchasing. After that, we'll be outside some other stores in the area handing out flyers.
If you'd like to take part in flyering in another city, I can send you our flyers for you to print out. You can email me at b;a;n;d;i;t;o;l;o;c;o at g mail. Take out the semi-colons, of course, put in the @ symbol, and take out the extra space. If you'd like to help, we ask that you, or someone else who will be present actually be a starbucks worker, and that you only do this outside stores where the workers themselves won't get **** at you.
Posted 4 years ago # -
The best thing we can do is just look after our own hides and get new jobs. I don't think it's worth it to try to organize within the confines of "Amistad." That's a slaveship, to all those who haven't seen the movie.
Posted 4 years ago # -
I wish we could, Jobbamison. However if we don't do something now, our jobs could potentially be in danger. Sbux is really pushing the limits with optimal scheduling, mass lay-offs, and other forms of pertner-dicking, and their next step could be taking our jobs. No way! Many of us sacrificed a lot and worked our **** off just to keep our heads above water. And this recession is no joke either!
Posted 4 years ago # -
Your job is a lot more likely to be in danger by creating some sort of manifesto then just showing doing your work and leaving.
In the land of the Bucks (at least in my experience), the squeaky wheel does not get the oil, they get the axe.Posted 4 years ago # -
I hear ya starbot. I really do. Where are you located? Where I am, they are laying off this month. Some partners have even been there for a long time. Anyhow.... I think this manifesto thing is going to be anonymous anyhow. :) You can post on mystarbucks idea anonymously, and I believe that is the plan. None of us wants to lose our job. We just want our voices to be heard.
Posted 4 years ago # -
DarkRoast, I truly wish I could share your sentiment on this one. The company owes its devoted workers, such as yourself, some job security. However, it's a stinking corporation, whose only real mandate is to cut costs and increase profits. Human needs, at least at the grassroots level, don't figure too heavily in their decision making. If they can cut partner hours and get away with it to save themselves money, they sure as hell will. I'm afraid that when dealing with an out-of-control corporate juggernaut like the Bux, it's just kind of true that you can't fight city hall. My opinion is that the best use for this site is to make some friends and commisserate with each other before we show up, once again, for a few more hours on the ol' plantation.
Posted 4 years ago # -
@Job.... I totally hear you. I believe that FarFlung is planning on posting this anonymously on mystarbucks idea. None of of are going to voice our opinions in person. I am not sure. FarFlung is not working at the bux anymore. But I know some of us want our voice to be heard, even if it is anonymously. It makes us feel better to get it out. :)
Posted 4 years ago #
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