Union Claims Starbucks Win

Chicago Sun-Times ^ | 8-31-06

[decal]

"A union claiming to represent Starbucks Corp. workers at a handful of coffeehouses said Wednesday that employees of the Logan Square store have declared their membership, becoming the first outside New York City to do so."

Well, thanks, but I didn't really NEED another reason to avoid Starsucks...

[gotribe]

My last starbux coffer.

[kinoxi]

Starbucks coffee generally sucks.

[hsalaw]

They are so pretentions. "Baristas." "Ventes." When the only available coffee place I can find is a Starbucks, so I have to go there, I always order a "large black decaff." They get very peeved when you don't play their idiot little name games. Hehehe.

[RichInOC]

I must say I'm amused at the idea of Starbucks baristas being allowed into the Wobblies. The class struggle is over, brothers and sisters. The bourgeoisie won.

[Spktyr]

I predict that there's shortly about to be one less Starbucks in the world.

Followed by the grand opening of a new Starbucks located, coincidentally enough, a few blocks away.

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

Poofter coffee joint.never interested.

[Tamar1973]

They issued a set of demands that included a living wage, guaranteed work hours and the reinstatement of IWW baristas fired for organizing activity....Starbucks, the world's largest specialty coffee maker, often is lauded for offering generous benefits that include health insurance for part-time workers. But the two-year-old union, which has members at seven Starbucks locations, contends that workers face low wages and barriers to health care and other benefits.

Oh, give me a break. If you want a living wage, get some training for a REAL job.

[martin_fierro]

One guy brewing, 10 guys watching.

[MissouriConservative]

"Because the IWW has never formally negotiated with the company and is not certified under the National Labor Relations Act, Starbucks contends none of its U.S. stores is unionized. Nevertheless, the IWW claims to represent dues-paying members who have bargained for certain job improvements, including pay raises."

Let's see, no negotiations, and not certified? Why the hell is anyone paying "dues" to these idiots? Just a bunch of wishful thinking socialistic pieces of crap wannabe union thugs.

[monkapotamus]

It's not a big deal. It's Italian and Italian has never seemed pretentious to me. Their theme is "Italian coffee bar." Americans have accepted "pizza", "mozzarella", "spaghetti", "parmesan" and numerous other words. Come on, a few more won't hurt. It's not like it's French or anything! ;-)

[Hong Kong Expat]

You can't be in a Union if you are a manager. :)

[TNdandelion]

LOL I agree. There's nothing french about them and we even have a drink called the Americano.

These "organized" folks are simply out to hijack the company. I'm only pt but I started out $2-$3 above our state's min wage. It's not meant to be a life time career. At least not in my life time.

[Myrddin]

Starbucks needs to follow Radio Shack's lead and send the layoff notices via e-mail. A job is not a right. Wages are compensation for value produced. A "living wage" exceeds the value of the labor at Starbucks. Try shopping your skills somewhere else.

[Loud Mime]

Hey, I'm all in favor of the unionization of Starbucks. They can serve all our government union people.

[rock_lobsta]

I'll get my cup o joe in a place where they only serve Coffee Flavored Coffee.

Hell, either that or Jolt Cola.

[kittycatonline.com]

Ha! I'm quite glad to hear that Starbucks is having labor problems and now has the unions to contend with. There are certain companies out there that work sooo hard to give off that "We're trendy and hip, and progressive, and listen to the Dixie Chicks and eat Ben & Jerrys and hate the war" image, Starbucks is right up there in that top 10 list. Apple Computer is there, too, but that's a different thread.

Anyhow, it's pretty great when companies that act soooo progressive find picketers in front of their storefronts; the founders who probably started out as Vietnam war protestors now find themselves being protested. Ahh, what's that long German word that begins with an "S"?

[DTogo]

"barista" Definition: a person who works at the counter of a coffee shop; a coffee bar server

Etymology: 1982; Ital

Is that a life-long career goal of some folks, that they need a "living wage" for? Or more of a stop-gap job you eventually move on from to one that does provide a living wage; management, etc.?

[turnrightnow]

Yep, welcome to the slippery slope. It was only a matter of time before other big, successful corporations began getting "Wal-Marted".

The Starbucks guy is a big greenie. I'll bet he thought that made him immune to big labor.