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As Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol tells the press, his Back to Starbucks plan is working; baristas across social media are sounding the alarm on benefits and hours being cut. Brian Niccol is taking us backward. This isn’t the first time this has happened, and in stores without a union, Starbucks will always hold the power to keep making unilateral decisions, even when they clearly only benefit c-suite execs. Read more here.
Brian Niccol can call it whatever he wants. Baristas know the difference between a plan and a PR stunt. Keep the pressure on.
Here’s this week’s brew:
The “$30/Hour” Lie Has Got to Go.
Baristas make $16/hour or less in 43 states. Hours get cut so often that benefits are out of reach. The CEO made nearly $100 million in 4 months. A fair union contract for 10,000+ partners would cost Starbucks less than one day’s sales. If you’re a partner, don’t wait for it to get worse. Organize your store.
Providence Says: We’re Done Waiting.
Baristas in Providence, Rhode Island, celebrated May Day by announcing to management they’re organizing a union to fight for better pay, hours, staffing, and protections. Democracy in the workplace is how we brew real change at Starbucks, and the more of us in the fight, the more of us that win.
The South Is Organized and Starbucks Is Finding Out.
Baristas in South Carolina marched on their boss and told Starbucks exactly where they stand. Then Nashville showed up on May Day to make the same point loud and clear. The South is not the one.
Don’t buy Starbucks, delete the app, and tell everyone you know. Baristas deserve better, and Starbucks has the money to do it.
In solidarity,
Starbucks Workers United
Wisconsin Bail Out the People Movement 