Posted on 08/31/2006 9:32:07 PM PDT by Dilbert San Diego
Union claims Starbucks win
August 31, 2006
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.
The baristas at the Logan Square Starbucks, 2759 W. Logan Blvd., joined the IWW Starbucks Workers Union on Tuesday night, the union said. 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.
Union representatives declined to say whether other organizing activities are under way in Chicago.
Seattle-based Starbucks did not respond to telephone messages seeking comment.
In March, Starbucks settled an unfair labor practice charge the union filed with the National Labor Relations Board, accusing the company of violating federal law by creating a national policy prohibiting workers from sharing written union information or wearing buttons.
The company admitted no wrongdoing in its settlement, but was forced to post detailed notices explaining workers' rights to organize at three stores named in the complaint. It also offered two workers their jobs back and gave three employees back pay totaling less than $2,000.
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.
Daniel Gross, a former barista who has led organizing efforts at Starbucks, has refused to disclose how many members the union has, characterizing it only as a ''modest-sized group'' with ''positive membership growth.''
AP
LOL!
Probably the only nice reason for living in Seattle these days are several regional competitor roasters (who obviously don't have the capital to open storefronts) who make coffee that is just as good or better than Starbucks.
My friend and I were contemplating opening a non-politically-correct roasting company (really not that expensive a business to capitalize) and coming up with brands like "Child Labor Blend", "Genetically-Altered Roast", etc.
It's so bad here that Starbucks has to print this stupid PC disclaimer about the welfare of coffee farmers on its bags of beans and some cups and crap at its stores. Pathetic.
Not like we're fighting, uh, a war or anything.
Tully's for me, for now, until I can perfect Child Labor Decaf Roast!
Mark
Oh no! If they go on strike, we won't be able to get our morning coffee! What will we do? Remember, coffee is a product that you can only get in a very few, select places, and hardly anyone knows exactly what's in it, or how to make it! It takes a hugh amount of training, and skill, to produce a single cup of coffee!
We're Doomed!
Mark
This leftist catch-phrase always amuses me. The people working the Starbucks counter are obviously not in need of food, shelter, clothing or transportation. IOW, they are receiving a "living" wage already. Maybe the left should get honest and call for a "high-rolling wage."
Why so far? Usually they are across the street from each other. LOL
I'm going to call my shop, " GET REAL COFFEE" . I'll serve your Child Labor Blend; and print quotes from Walter Williams and Mark Steyn on my cups.
I tell them, "Sorry, I don't speak French" with just enough of a tone that makes them feel like idiots.
Starbucks should just close the store immediately.
Make it outrageous, so you can open a virtual storefront in South Park. They already chased Starbucks out, you know.
It's shorthand, Liberal shorthand. Rather than say the full phrase "a living off of the system wage", they say it simply as "a living wage" as they all look at one another and give a wink. "Living".
And so starts the beginning of the end of Starbucks.
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