Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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starbucks unionizing (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by LoanFar6754
can someone explain what a union is and what benefit it would pose to us? i’ve seen a lot of stuff on it but i’m confused.
orcvodka 9 points 1y ago
the idea behind unions is pretty simple, the workers band together with a union org. (we have a sbx workers union) to bargain with the company for better pay, better benefits, to change working conditions, or simply to hold them accountable. i know that my DM and SM has made a few promises to change some stuff our store is having problems with, but after a month or so it seems to go nowhere and a union would help get these changes in writing and hold starbucks to account when they say theyre going to improve our store and then dont. unions also help workers in ‘work at will’ states, this just means that they can fire you at anytime for any reason. if someone in a state with this law forms a union, the union could bargain to end that law in that store, meaning that starbucks would need to not only give a reason for firing a partner but have evidence to backup why that partner should be fired. another good thing about unions is that theyll work with individual stores to get them what they specifically need. im typing this out kinda fast so i hope that made sense, if you have any other questions id be happy to answer them
LoanFar6754 [OP] 4 points 1y ago
ohhh okk thank you so much! how will we need to get this started
HamburgIar_ 7 points 1y ago
Here are some of the POSSIBLE cons.
When you vote to become represented by a union, you will have to bargain for benefits. All the perks of being a Starbucks partner will not be guaranteed. SCAP, accumulated PTO, insurance costs, food/drink markouts will all have to be negotiated for. When negotiating, there is a give and take. I think there is a false assumption that you will keep all the benefits and also get the benefits listed in the comment above.
Promotion to leadership positions will no longer be based on merit, but on seniority. I personally feel that partners who have been with Starbucks the longest, have the worst attitudes and these will be the people getting promoted. Best schedules will be given priority to tenured partners as well.
I know I'll get down voted but it's only right to let partners know the risk involved. This is a big decision that will impact partners lives and it's not fair to only give the positives of unions.
I could go on, but considering there isn't a negotiated contract to compare with at this point, I feel like it's pointless.
When you vote to become represented by a union, you will have to bargain for benefits. All the perks of being a Starbucks partner will not be guaranteed. SCAP, accumulated PTO, insurance costs, food/drink markouts will all have to be negotiated for. When negotiating, there is a give and take. I think there is a false assumption that you will keep all the benefits and also get the benefits listed in the comment above.
Promotion to leadership positions will no longer be based on merit, but on seniority. I personally feel that partners who have been with Starbucks the longest, have the worst attitudes and these will be the people getting promoted. Best schedules will be given priority to tenured partners as well.
I know I'll get down voted but it's only right to let partners know the risk involved. This is a big decision that will impact partners lives and it's not fair to only give the positives of unions.
I could go on, but considering there isn't a negotiated contract to compare with at this point, I feel like it's pointless.
orcvodka 1 points 1y ago
ok so, last i checked the idea that benefits would be taken away is just wrong and is something that companies say when doing union busting and ive never heard of something like that happening. as well as the fact that a union allows the workers to more formally strike if the company tries to take away benefits upon resigning a contract. im sure its not impossible, just incredibly unlikely. as for the seniority this is true, seniority pay and things like internal promotion, which would show preference to tenured partners, and i do agree that that could be an issue. with that being said though id argue that the benefits of unions vastly outweigh any issues you could have with them.
HamburgIar_ 0 points 1y ago
I never said benefits would be TAKEN away. I said they are NEGOTIATED into the INITIAL contract. Starbucks pays for ASU benefits, our food and beverage markouts, Spotify, Lyra, Headspace etc..These benefits would be negotiated INTO or OUT OF the initial contract with the union. Anyone telling you differently is lying. There will probably be an increase to partners hourly wage but that comes at a price. Very similar to licensed stores who make more per hour but don't have all of a corporate store benefits.
Wait and see what happens with the first ratified contract (if it ever happens) there will be benefits that do not apply to those specific partners that work at that store.
Be realistic here please as this is important and a very real possibility once a store votes to unionize.
Wait and see what happens with the first ratified contract (if it ever happens) there will be benefits that do not apply to those specific partners that work at that store.
Be realistic here please as this is important and a very real possibility once a store votes to unionize.
orcvodka 0 points 1y ago
if you’re interested i would contact then union directly, sbworkersunited@gmail.com . theyll also be able to answer any other questions you have.
Fearless_While_9824 2 points 1y ago
can you also give the cons?
Which_Supermarket_52 5 points 1y ago
Just wanted to expand on contract negotiations and promotions/seniority pay. Your contract is decided by your store and what your needs are. You would not sign a contract in which you are worse off. They also can't take away your benefits while you are negotiating a contract. If you wanted to be able to get merit based pay raises or promotions you can negotiate that into your contract. It's up to you what you want. That's really what a union is. Setting up a democratic system in your store in which you are listened too.
HamburgIar_ 0 points 1y ago
I understand what you're trying to say, however, to think that Starbucks would agree to a contract that allowed partners to keep all of their benefits plus be represented by a union is not a reality. Unions have a year to come to terms on a contract. Starbucks has nothing to lose by not agreeing to a bad contract for them. If a contract is not agreed upon then the union representation goes away after the allotted time frame to negotiate a contract. The pressure is on the union to come to an agreement, not Starbucks. The union representatives will then pressure the partners to accept a contract that would allow the union to represent the store, even if it isn't in the partners best interest because the union will go away if a contract is not signed within the allotted time frame. This is basic negotiation practices. The union has no leverage.
SBWorkersUnited 0 points 1y ago
Email us @ sbworkersunited@gmail.com and we can set you up with a partner/organizer to talk about your store and next steps should you want to unionize.
Good-Reflection-2744 0 points 1y ago
Unions in workplaces typically result in increased wages, benefits, etc. I'm not aware of any examples contrary to this.
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