Hello folks!
I've been hearing even more talk about the birth of a labor union representing Starbucks Partners amongst the rank-and-file. I'm still undecided on whether or not this would be a beneficial venture, so I went to this link http://nlrb.org/ to do some homework. I hope others find this site informative as well. United we stand!
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Still unclear on Labor Unions?
(21 posts) (7 voices)-
Posted 4 years ago #
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@DARKROAST: I cannot find anything on the link... it just gives me pop-ups. Is that the right link? I put the www before it as well, and that did not work either. :(
Posted 4 years ago # -
Ok I just googled nlrb and got this. Is this the right one?
Posted 4 years ago # -
Yes, and I'm sorry, I always get .org and .gov confused! :P
Please share any insights!Posted 4 years ago # -
JOIN UP, any way you can get an out side source to represent you will be better for you. Especially in a company like Starbucks, they will give you a mug award in one hand while nailing a corrective action in your back with the other. The people who say they are their for you, are really their for whoever they can benefit from the most so even if you need to pay some union dues, it's worth it to REALLY have someone on your side!
I've witnessed both sides of the fence, and seen things that make me wanna puke...
Posted 4 years ago # -
I am confused still, on how to join up? Like obviously I am on this site, but there are THOUSANDS of partners and I feel like 25 of us from a website cannot join a union, especially when we are all so spread out, location wise.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Check this site out. http://www.StarbucksUnion.org and http://www.iww.org The IWW is the union that already exists for Starbucks workers. If you let them know your interested, they will be pounding down your door. Just keep it to your self because Starbucks WILL find a way to terminate you before Christmas if your not careful. If they want you gone, they find a way. So honestly, until steps are taken to protect you, keep it quiet and follow the rules and regulations...TO the TEE!
Merry Christmas!Posted 4 years ago # -
So you can be part of the union even though you are the only one at your location?
Posted 4 years ago # -
You really need to look into it, make some anonymous calls...ask questions, do your research, call a unionized store...
Posted 4 years ago # -
Anniversaryblend, yes, you can.
The difficulty is that it won't do you a whole lot of good until there are others nearby you. One of the IWWs biggest strengths, while also a drawback, is that the dues are low and do not go to paying outside organizers. Everyone organizing at Starbucks is a volunteer, and mostly work at Starbucks, with some help from IWW members from other employers. The IWW would absolutely welcome you, but I strongly encourage you to not only take the step of joining, but also committing to trying to organize your store. There are IWW branches in most major cities that you can be put in touch with. If you sign up at starbucksunion.org, someone will get back to you within a few days (there are few people handling a LOT of online signups, sorry if it takes a couple days). If you are interested in leading an organizing push at your store, make sure to tell them that. They can help you with the next steps. Those next steps are definitely lengthy, and can take a while, but it is worth it. By building this union at a rank and file level, led by actual Starbucks workers, we avoid many of the pitfalls of big unions. So it takes more effort, but we get more in return in the long as the union grows.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Well, I stumbled across this story in the New York Times and I wanted to share this you all...check out this link: http://mobile.nytimes.com/2008/12/24/nyregion/24starbucks.xml
Posted 4 years ago # -
That's great...Starbucks corp. has always been very clear about there policies regarding unions. They DON"T want them in or near the stores, and if even the whisper of union comes around, management is to call corporate immediately. I imagine, and this is educated speculation, that when this begins to happen, the managers is reminded to remember to document every thing, and that if the barista is causing trouble, or under performing, to be sure to give corrective actions...
Let me put it to you this way, If Starbucks wants you gone, your gone. They wwill find 3 things to write you up for, and poof, like magic, you are a detriment to the operations and your gone. This is how the baristas in New York lost there jobs. they did not come out and fire them for unionizing, they fired them for 3 corrective actions.
That is how I lost my job. The day that Starbucks announced the -3% labor, I was told to meet my fat **** DM for lunch. I knew immediately what was up...I was easy to get rid of, I basically told him what to use against me because I had been "asking for help" for awhile,. I found out today that another manager, with 11 years, was let go the same day, for the same reasons, and when i filed my grievance, the guy taking the report basically finished my sentences, because he had seen it way to much lately.Starbucks is an evil company and I will continue to do everything I can to destroy their reputation with everyone I know. If I cause them to even lose 10 customers, then I will be happy.
Posted 4 years ago # -
I'm with you citizenpat... pure evil!!
Posted 4 years ago # -
Thank you.. So here's the deal. I realize I'm new to this site, and I am still a bitter bean, but Starbucks should not be able to get away with this stuff so easy. They are genuinely,a malicious corporate entity that only wants one thing...YOUR **** MONEY!! and they are using a very addictive product to get it. Starbucks is the tobacco industry of the new millennium. they will do everything they can to suck you dry with a little drug we all know and love, Caffeine, it's a great drug, and it's a drug even your kids love too. Starbucks knows this, they rely on this. Why do you think they make it so welcoming to the younger generations, the same reason Camel cigarettes had Joe Camel, because if you get them while they are young, you get them for life.
I'm gonna start a new topic.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Citizenpat, are you familiar with any company that doesn't want "YOUR **** MONEY?" Of course SBUX wants money...that is the only reason anyone start a business, in the first place!
And if you're going to accuse SBUX of being the new tobacco industry, what about Coke or Pepsi?
Posted 4 years ago # -
Wowsers, IloveSbux, good to hear from you-long time no post!
And you do have a point: what corporation is NOT here to take "your **** money"? However, Sbux behavior is contradictory to it's Mission Statement and Guiding Principles. That's what most partners have issues with.Posted 4 years ago # -
I can understand how the contradictory behavior pisses people off...me, too. But, I was just making a point to keep things in perspective.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Yeah...I haven't had much time to post. things have been crazy, but I still check in from time to time. And as for posting, I realized that my p.o.v. isn't really going to do anything but cause angry people to become angrier...something I don't enjoy(much!)...so, I've been keeping to myself.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Hey, I rather enjoy your snappy comebacks! But I understand that A LOT has been going on too.
Posted 4 years ago # -
I love a challenge. And I worked at Starbucks as a manager for several years, you won't hurt my feelings, I've already done my crying, felt sorry for myself and even got down right visciuos ( my first post). I have come to realize that I have a mission in life, and that is to expose Starbucks for the frauds they are. I admit, I have made bad choices, done horrible things and hurt a lot of people, and I am still paying for it. (This was before Starbucks) I admit I was not the best manager ever, and for that I lost my job, funny so did several others that were with the company for awhile and made more then most, funny how it was the same day and for the same thing ( I know your pain SKY). Starbucks continues to boast how it is there for it's partners and the community. ( I guess, not my community though, not South Riding, they took all that away...even a small scholarship that I had started with a local school by giving them 2 travelers on wednesday and they received donations at school for cups of coffee. This earned the school 750.00 a year and was a nice little scholarship.... Gone!)
They continue to put out there that they really care, they involve themselves with "RED" and use it to fluff up their image, they make promises and tell partners things will change. Where are your laptops store managers, oh wait they still have to make up another $150,000.00. I would watch myself if I were a tenured store manager, it's not your experience that matters, it's how much you make. If you are a store manager and make 45,000.00 or more...WATCH OUT...they are watching you.
Starbucks is a evil, malicious, slave driving company that will use the bodies of all you tired baristas to continue to rebuild themselves. If anyone feels they work for a company that will be there for them when they need them, think again. When your body washes up on the unemployment line after you gave everything to them, then you will be able to slowly stand up...hold your head up, and walk away knowing that you are better for what you went through, with a pair of footprints permanently seered into your back,and a small label underneath that reads...Howard was here!
Posted 4 years ago # -
Unions are only bad for the big, corporate machine. Unions are for the workers. Whether or not you agree with unions depends on which side you are on.
Posted 4 years ago #
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