BREAKING: In the middle of Pride Month, Starbucks BANS Pride decorations in stores across the United States.
For the last two weeks, Starbucks workers have taken to social media to report that the company is no longer allowing Pride decorations in-store. This seems to be the first year the publicly "pro-LGBTQ+" company has taken this kind of stance.
Taking a cue from Target, who bowed to anti-LGBTQ+ pressure and removed pride merchandise, corporate and district management are taking down the pride decorations that have become an annual tradition in stores.
In union stores, where Starbucks claims they are unable to make “unilateral changes” without bargaining, the company took down Pride decorations and flags anyway - ignoring their own anti-union talking point.
Starbucks is powered by many queer workers, but management has failed to materially support the LGBTQ+ community. Last October, some workers have reported that their transgender benefit plan changed, causing them to pay out of pocket fees and lose access to certain providers.
If Starbucks was a true ally, they would stand up for us, especially during a time when LGBTQ+ people are under attack. A company that cares wouldn’t turn their back on the LGBTQ+ community to protect their already astronomically high profits.
True allyship with the LGBTQ+ community is negotiating a union contract that legally locks-in our benefits, our freedom of expression, and ways to hold management accountable.
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BREAKING: Workers at over 100+
Starbucks stores across the country are striking to demand an end to Starbucks' illegal union-busting campaign. While the company keeps a metaphorical 'empty chair' for us in the boardroom, we're demanding a real seat at the table! #StarbucksStrike
🚨🚨🚨 IN A HISTORIC DECISION Administrative Law Judge Michael A. Rosas of the National Labor Relations Board issued his 204 page decision, finding Starbucks violated federal labor law HUNDREDS of times in Buffalo, NY alone. washingtonpost.com/business/2023/…
The decision comes after nearly a year-long investigation, dozens of charges, hundreds of allegations, and months of trial, making this one of the biggest union-busting cases in the history of the National Labor Relations Board.
In this sweeping decision, Judge Rosas ordered several rare remedies reserved for the most extreme cases, including:
We can't thank these courageous Support Partners from Starbucks HQ enough for speaking out, calling on executives to reverse the Return to Office mandate and to respect the right to organize and sign the Fair Election Principles. #tobeapartner 🧵
"We are all one Starbucks; we are all partners. We believe in Starbucks, we believe in its core values, and we call for a return to those values. When all partners are included, as trusted partners with a voice, we know that Starbucks can truly be a different kind of company."
🚨 🚨 🚨UNION WINS THREAD ALERT: Less than a year ago, there were ZERO unionized Starbucks stores in the US. Today, there are 258! Let’s take a look at some of the incredible things workers have fought for and WON over the past year…
One of our first public demands was fighting for seniority pay for baristas. How did Starbucks respond? By implementing the first seniority pay in the company’s 50 year history.
Union workers raised the issue of inadequate and failing equipment. What were we able to pressure the company into doing? Store renovations ACROSS the country, including new ovens.
Today's partner spotlight features James Schenk, a fired worker who successfully organized the first store in the Capital District of NY, the Latham Plaza store, and has gone on to help 9 out of 9 stores win their union in his region! #undefeated 🧵
James says, "Starbucks tells us when we get hired that we are there to create a third place, a welcoming and inclusive environment. How much better can the customer experience get than a Starbucks full of baristas that are excited to come into work and serve our customers?!"
James can often be found sipping on a grande brown sugar shaken espresso, extra shot, two pumps of white mocha (or toasted white mocha or pumpkin!) and reading the Lord of the Rings! He is a self-described "homebody" who has spent 4 years waiting impatiently for GoW: Ragnarok!
In five years with the company, Alyssa’s won “partner of the quarter” three times. Her community board artwork is regularly praised by corporate; some is still up in the store today!
She’s a model employee, but Starbucks is blinded by its anti-union hatred.
A month ago today, Alyssa led a walkout after the store experienced hour cuts, and their manager forced partners to work while sick. Walking out is unambiguously protected concerted activity.