Starbucks Workers Speak Out About Being Short-Staffed

At a Starbucks store in Brooklyn, two workers, Megan and Jennifer, talk to customers about a big problem. Their store doesn’t have enough workers, so they’re very busy and can’t serve customers as fast. They are part of a group called Starbucks Workers United, and they want to make their jobs better. On February 14, workers from over 110 Starbucks stores in the country went on strike to tell people about this problem.

Why Are the Waits So Long?

Megan and Jennifer hand out flyers to customers asking, “Why is my order taking so long?” They want customers to help by signing a pledge that says, “No Contract, No Coffee,” meaning they won’t buy coffee until the workers’ problems are fixed. Megan says that when they first tried to make their store a union, they had 27 workers, but now they only have 21. This makes it harder to serve customers quickly.

Not Enough Workers Means More Stress

Jennifer says it’s hard to keep up with all the orders from the phone, delivery, and customers in the store. She feels that Starbucks is blaming the workers for the slow service, but the real problem is not having enough workers to help. The workers think Starbucks is cutting staff to hurt their chances of forming a union.

How It All Started

The union movement at Starbucks began in Buffalo, New York, in December 2021, when workers started the first union in a Starbucks store in many years. This victory made workers at other Starbucks stores want to join the movement. In 2022, there was a huge increase in workers wanting to join a union.

Starbucks Fights Back

Starbucks didn’t like the union forming in so many stores, so they started doing things to stop it. They cut workers’ hours, gave special benefits to stores that didn’t join the union, and even fired some workers. They also brought back Howard Schultz, a leader who doesn’t support unions. These things made fewer stores try to form unions, but the workers didn’t give up.

Workers Strike Back

Even though Starbucks was trying to stop the union, the workers didn’t quit. In late 2022, they held strikes and filed complaints. About 100 Starbucks stores took part in the strikes, and the workers kept showing that they were serious about their cause.

Valentine’s Day Protest: Talking to Customers

On Valentine’s Day, workers in many cities, including Brooklyn and Buffalo, talked to customers about the problems at Starbucks. They wanted people to understand how the lack of workers makes their jobs harder. Many customers agreed and showed support for the workers.

Starbucks Won’t Talk About the Union

Despite all their efforts, Starbucks still refuses to talk to the workers about forming a union. Right now, about 7,000 Starbucks workers in more than 280 Starbucks stores are part of the union. But that’s only a small part of all the Starbucks stores in the United States. However, more and more Starbucks workers are joining, and the union is starting to grow.

The Fight Continues

Starbucks workers are still fighting for better working conditions. They want to be treated fairly, and they believe that with help from customers, they can make things better. Their fight is not over yet, but they’re hopeful that they can win.

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FAQs

1. How Unions Help Workers: Understanding the Role of Workers’ Unions

This article would explain what a union is and how it helps workers in different industries, including coffee shops like Starbucks. It would include simple examples of how unions can help workers get better pay, better working conditions, and more respect from their employers.

2. The History of Unions at Starbucks: From Buffalo to National Movement

This piece would explore the history of unions at Starbucks, starting with the first successful union in Buffalo, New York, in December 2021. It would describe how the movement spread to other stores and the challenges Starbucks workers face in their fight for better working conditions.

3. What is Under-Staffing and Why Does it Matter?

An article focused on the issue of under-staffing, explaining what it is, why companies like Starbucks might use it, and how it affects Starbucks workers and customers. It could explain how under-staffing can lead to long wait times, frustrated customers, and added stress for workers.

4. The Impact of Unions on Worker Rights and Fair Wages

This article would discuss the importance of unions in securing fair wages, better working conditions, and health benefits for employees. It could highlight examples from various industries and explain how unions help to balance the power between workers and employers.

5. How Do Protests and Strikes Help Workers Make Changes?

This article would explain what protests and strikes are, how workers use these tools to bring attention to their issues, and how they can lead to positive changes in the workplace. It would also look at some famous strikes and how they helped workers improve their conditions.

6. Understanding Labor Laws and Workers’ Rights in the U.S.

This article would break down the basic labor laws in the United States, explaining what rights workers have when it comes to forming unions, fair wages, safe working conditions, and more. It would help kids understand how laws protect workers in all kinds of jobs.

7. The Role of Consumers in Supporting Fair Labor Practices

This article would explore how customers can help workers by supporting businesses that treat employees fairly, signing petitions, or participating in campaigns like “No Contract, No Coffee.” It could explain the power of consumer choices in shaping business practices.

8. Starbucks and Sustainability: How the Company is Working to Help the Planet

While focused on the environmental efforts of Starbucks, this article would also connect the company’s social responsibility in treating workers well with its environmental responsibility. It would explain how companies need to care for both people and the planet.

9. Challenges Workers Face When Trying to Form Unions in Big Companies

This article would discuss the difficulties workers face when they try to form unions in large corporations like Starbucks, including fear of retaliation, the legal battles, and the effort to convince others to join the movement.

10. Why is Customer Support Important in Workers’ Rights Movements?

This article would focus on how customer support can make a difference in labor movements. It would explain how showing support for workers can help bring about change, as well as the power of public opinion in encouraging companies to treat their employees better.