Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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i would like a crumb of unionization as well (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by death2capitalism2
would i get in trouble/fired if a store manager found out about our store trying to unionize?
they are very chill but we don’t know who we can trust.
they are very chill but we don’t know who we can trust.
StormTheParade 39 points 1y ago
Ok, so legally, no you cannot be fired for attempting to organise a union.
However, and I mean a mighty BIG *however,* Starbucks (like most corporations) are extremely anti-union and have a looooong history of firing employees for even *thinking* about unionising. They just lost a case in Philadelphia this past summer for terminating two employees who were attempting to organise. Because all 50 US States are essentially at-will employment, they can just claim it is due to performance issues and/or attendance issues and they will just make up the paperwork to support this.
If you pay attention to what's being reported from within Buffalo right now, employees at those stores are saying that they are being written up for extremely minor issues (dress code, being "too negative" or "not connecting with customers," lack of a sense of urgency, etc).
Store managers cannot be a part of an employee union anyways, I believe they would need to make their own union as management. The best bet is to play it safe and do what you can to make sure that word does not make its way to the manager.
However, and I mean a mighty BIG *however,* Starbucks (like most corporations) are extremely anti-union and have a looooong history of firing employees for even *thinking* about unionising. They just lost a case in Philadelphia this past summer for terminating two employees who were attempting to organise. Because all 50 US States are essentially at-will employment, they can just claim it is due to performance issues and/or attendance issues and they will just make up the paperwork to support this.
If you pay attention to what's being reported from within Buffalo right now, employees at those stores are saying that they are being written up for extremely minor issues (dress code, being "too negative" or "not connecting with customers," lack of a sense of urgency, etc).
Store managers cannot be a part of an employee union anyways, I believe they would need to make their own union as management. The best bet is to play it safe and do what you can to make sure that word does not make its way to the manager.
death2capitalism2 [OP] 7 points 1y ago
this was so helpful thank you ✊🏼
Internal-Ad-8820 5 points 1y ago
Where can I see more info about this? Anything I've been reading has been mostly the same 'wanting Starbucks to treat us as partners in the true sense of the word' and other such general terms, but I'd love to see specifics as someone who is following the situation
StormTheParade 4 points 1y ago
That would be because they are going to finalise the demands as discussions begin! The main issues they're looking to negotiate on are higher pay overall, seniority pay, better staffing and training, schedule consistency, etc. but they will ultimately be deciding on demands democratically. The intention is to have every store report their needs and wants, for the union representative to collect that information, and then to make demands based on popular "vote" so to speak.
In most of the interviews I've found, the people helping drive the efforts say they just want a voice at the table in decisions that are being made for the stores. Corporate has been firing and replacing a bunch of managers in the Buffalo region since the first NLRB petition was made, and not because they were bad managers. It's leaving the employees there without proper direction and structure, so the store will feel more chaotic and unpredictable and hopefully "shake off" those who are pro-union.
This is all to the best of my knowledge, I'm not speaking on their behalf or anything. I've just been following the efforts very very closely since they started and I try to read the interviews and updates as they are made public.
In most of the interviews I've found, the people helping drive the efforts say they just want a voice at the table in decisions that are being made for the stores. Corporate has been firing and replacing a bunch of managers in the Buffalo region since the first NLRB petition was made, and not because they were bad managers. It's leaving the employees there without proper direction and structure, so the store will feel more chaotic and unpredictable and hopefully "shake off" those who are pro-union.
This is all to the best of my knowledge, I'm not speaking on their behalf or anything. I've just been following the efforts very very closely since they started and I try to read the interviews and updates as they are made public.
Internal-Ad-8820 2 points 1y ago
Oooooo thank you very much for the insight! I hope we will be able to see more as things progress over the next few months 🤩
BeardiesRule112 20 points 1y ago
No store managers
purseEffphony 13 points 1y ago
If you feel comfortable asking I would start by asking if they read the piece in the NY Times about the Buffalo store and what their thoughts are about it. You dont have to share Your thoughts of course but it may give you a sense of their concerns.
death2capitalism2 [OP] 6 points 1y ago
finna use this thanks comrade
ItsBaristoActually 3 points 1y ago
Ask this of partners, no management, one on one. Think about your partners overall political ideals. It’s not uncommon for conservatives to support unions, buts it’s not common either. I will say that every job conservatives idolize, aside from the military, is unionized. Imagine a present day conservative telling a 1950s steel worker they’re a commie.
Some SSVs are weirdly loyal to management. So be careful.
Some SSVs are weirdly loyal to management. So be careful.
epythumia 2 points 1y ago
Yep, check what the successful movements are doing. Hell, call them yourself. It may be a little scary at first but you'll probably find way more respect than you'll ever get from a DM.
Barracudaheart 11 points 1y ago
You probably wouldn't be fired, but its best not to risk it. Remember, the earlier your store managers know about your union drive, the less likely you are to be successful. Ideally, your store manager should not know until you officially file for an election with the N.L.R.B. I wouldn't even ask what they think of Buffalo tbh.
PaleontologistLoud37 3 points 1y ago
technically, firing workers for unionizing/trying to is illegal, but places can find their way around it via loopholes and legalese. from what the buffalo partners have said, i'd guess it'd be the best course of action to keep it just to baristas as long as you can. and make sure that the people you're letting in are committed and aren't going to roll on you, i've heard that too.
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