@Jobbamison, thanks for keeping it real. Corporate a-holes are known to put profit before human needs, that's a given. However, Sbux is a little different given that it relies on its reputation as a selling point. By putting out this manifesto, we are making our voices heard (anonymously, of course--nobody needs to put themselves in the line of fire!) not only to the formerly deaf ears of Sbux, but to its customers as well. We are holding Sbux up to its principles.
@Starbot: anonymity is our protection. We've created this to help everyone, not just because we're disgruntled partners with a bone to pick.
[closed]
How can we use this site to our ADVANTAGE?
(53 posts) (12 voices)-
Posted 4 years ago #
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Darkroast:
I absoloutely support your right to speak up. I'm sad to say that I doubt anyone will listen. Starbucks has this amazing ability to turn things around on you fast. The response will be something along the lines of...this must just be a bunch of "bitter beans" (an actual starbucks term, I **** you not.) And the company will continue to wear blinders to what they're doing to the poor baristas day in and day out.
I'm not trying to be a naysayer. I've just been around for a damn long time, and speaking up when something is not right has always screwed me in the end. It really does suck.
If nothing else, maybe this manifesto will be read by customers who will then take their money elsewhere. **** the bux.Posted 4 years ago # -
Actually I plan to politely put a bullet into badly behaving customers as well! You want Third Place you have to play nice!
Posted 4 years ago # -
@Farflung, you said it sister-sometimes I feel like jumping over counter right in their faces, like " Ok, so check THIS out, because you obviously don't know how this works........blah, blah, [expletive], blah...."
It's time that baristas are heard, and not just statistics from a biased survey. Besides, I don't think Sbux will entertain bad PR--it may just compel the company into action. They don't want to look bad and risk tarnishing their reputation.Posted 4 years ago # -
DarkRoast, I think you may be right afterall. I missed the whole point of what you were saying. Maybe it is worthwhile to write a manifesto. An anonymous one, like you said. You have my support. If we're going to continue working at the Buck, we might as well attempt to have a say in what goes down on the plantation.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Thanks for being open-minded, Jobbamison! I truly hope that our "grievances" are acknowledged and reparations made. We are the backbone of this company, and it is us who helped build Starbucks up. We desrve better treatment.
Posted 4 years ago # -
No problem, DarkRoast. You have definitely hit on an important issue. Of course, we are also, in a sense, dealing with a systemic symptom of capitalism. When executives are getting multi-million-dollar severance packages and astronomical bonuses, work must go on on the sbux plantations of America. I am really stuck on this plantation thing right now, but it is a reality, "the way i see it." It is a deeply unjust system when the people who do the work that fuel corporate profits are not taken care of properly or given a liveable wage. A manifesto is TOTALLY justified!!!
Posted 4 years ago # -
I don't think simply posting an anonymous manifesto is enough (if you look at my posting history, my opinion on this is no surprise). We have to do something that 1) Starbucks will notice and 2) that they can't ignore. If the manifesto is posted on mysbuxidea, or even on here, they surely will see it. And they will promptly ignore it. We need to do something they can't ignore. That probably means getting a lot of other people to notice as well. I think we can do this without anyone sacrificing their anonymity, or at least with only a few people needing to come forward, which I am willing to do.
We need to think of how to get attention for this. Attention from Starbucks most importantly, secondly from baristas, thirdly from the public, and fourthly from the media. The challenge is maintaining anonymity. However, I encourage everyone to think about what is really likely to happen. Retaliating against someone for taking action to try to gain improved working conditions for themselves and co-workers is illegal. That doesn't mean Starbucks won't retaliate, but in the end, they'll lose. You can file a charge against them with the National Labor Relations Board, if they take your case, they represent you against Sbux (no need to hire expensive lawyers), Starbucks will probably settle out of court, giving you your job back, with back pay. They know that's what will happen too, and will think twice before even firing you. And if you are fired, while that case is pending, there are many, many people who will rise to the cause of getting you your job back expediently (the legal process can take a while).
Anyhow, does anyone else want to brainstorm ways to get some major attention for this, anonymously or otherwise? Keep in mind, the final decision will need to be made through private communications (i.e. email), because Starbucks does read these boards at least occasionally. Also, if you have any really, really clever ideas that might be spoiled by Starbucks having the slightest inkling of, best not to mention them here.
Posted 4 years ago # -
I am liking what Gaucho is saying. Anyone else?
Posted 4 years ago # -
As I said earlier I am quite happy to set up an email so we can move this off the boards. Actually I expect the editing process will need to happen off the boards so as not to abuse our hosts generousity.
I have no problem losing my anonymity but given I am in NZ it will ahve less impact coming from me than from the US based crew.
My opinion is we get the manifesto written then figure the best way to publicize it. Towards which I am sitting surrounded with papers with ideas scribbled all over them :)
Posted 4 years ago # -
The revolution is on, my friends! And gaucho, you made many valid points in your previous post.
If the media is tipped off, our cause will be brought to the public eye. If anything, public opinion may prove to be sympathetic to our cause and give us the support we need. It is also paramount to talk with other baristas across the board-there's strength in numbers!
How much do you wanna bet that Sbux is reading this and preparing a memo?!
Farflung, you're making history! I agree, we should get the manifesto together, then figure out to get it into the open!Posted 4 years ago # -
agreed DARKROAST. :) And FarFlung. :)
Posted 4 years ago # -
Hello,
I am the admin of the site, I would be more than happy to help you in any way you wish.
If you would like a password protected wiki on the server or anything like that, just let me know.Posted 4 years ago # -
Admin, that's a very generous offer. I think it would be greatly helpful. I think others will like the idea too. Let us know what you need from us to set up this board. Feel free to email me. If I recall, the site collects emails when signing up. You have my permission to use mine to contact me.
Posted 4 years ago # -
I have been out for the last month or so with a family emergency and just logged in to check the goings on for a minute and came across this... all I can is WOW!! Whatever I can do to support the cause. I think its an excellent idea of what needs to be done. Something anything to stop some of the **** that is put up with on a daily basis. I think my job is in ok standing where I am for the moment but who knows wth will happen in a year or so. I have been a barista for 5 years. If I didn't need this job I would have quit a long time ago. The economy sux and quite frankly doesn't look like it will get any better for a while. But there are days when working for the Bux is more than enough to make me want to sign up for basket weaving 101 and a nice steady thorazine drip. Much less turn in that two week. But I can't do it this job that doesn't pay squat is how I support my child.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Alright folks. Time to start turning some of these words into action. I think we should take up the admin's offer to set up a password protected wiki for anyone who wants in on this. Are others interested in discussing this further, in a less public venue? Does anyone have any alternative ideas to a password protected wiki on this site's server? I think we should go for it. I'm emailing the admin (available on the front page) to see about getting a wiki set up. It'd be good if at least a few of us could voice our support for this idea before admin puts too much work into it, to make sure it's worth the effort. Also, once the wiki is set up, it will be much easier for us to contact eachother any number of other ways. Farflung, you in? Keep in mind as well that my email is on the previous page of this post somewhere.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Count me in!!!!!!
Posted 4 years ago # -
Yep, I have a first draft written but it sucks so I need some help gettting it together!
Deep breath "All writing is re-writing"
Posted 4 years ago # -
also, not sure what a password protected WIKI is. How lame is that? But yes, I am in. I know DARKROAST is in too (by reading previous posts). :)
Posted 4 years ago # -
A "wiki" is a collabrative tool for sharing and editing information. Password protected means you can't get in to see it if you don't know the magic word :)
Posted 4 years ago # -
I love it! And Anniversaryblend is 100% correct--i want IN!! I am ready for war and the time is NOW! Jobbamison, you've been around for quite some time....you're down right?
Admin, I think we are ready for the next level--thank you for your support! Let's do this!Posted 4 years ago # -
Don't know what I can do to help since I'm not with the co. anymore but you can count me in just tell me how. Also FYI when I spoke to attorneys re my term I was told that Cal. is an at will state which means that you can be fired for any reason. If they don't like you etc. You don't have to do anything wrong. It's up to you then to prove that you for fired for discrimination, etc which is hard to do and none of the 5 I talked to would take the case. Be careful with what you say.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Grandma, unfortunately, as a manager, you lacked one of the rights that hourly employees do have (in the US), which is the right to organize. The National Labor Relations Act protects many concerted (i.e. group) actions for "mutual aid and protection". That means that as long as we do it together, we cannot be fired for taking action against Starbucks. If someone is fired, and files a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board, and they find merit with the case, it is then up to Starbucks to show that they had legitimate cause to fire you, and that they treated you like everyone else. Now, this is a slow process, so I'm not saying people should go nuts and rise up right away and let their identities be known. It's probably good to have a good support group among co-workers set up (a union perhaps) before doing that, so that you and your coworkers can start taking action immediately if the hammer comes down on you. At the same time though, our rights are established in the law, and I urge everyone to exercise those rights to their full advantage.
Posted 4 years ago #
Topic Closed
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