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The War Between Starbucks and Its Unofficial Union

Starbucks has more to worry about than its recent third-quarter loss. A
workers union is gaining momentum, asking the coffee company to give its
staff fair pay, easier access to health insurance and safe working
conditions. Will Starbucks give in?

Digital Journal — It’s been a bad year for Starbucks: this week, the
Seattle-based chain posted its first loss in 16 years, posting a
third-quarter drop of $6.7 million compared to a profit of $153 million
in the year-age quarter; it is planning to shut down 600
“under-performing” Starbucks stores in the U.S.; and management turnover
is causing painful headaches for Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz.

But if you think the corporation has its bad, look at what their
employees face: Starbucks baristas (read: coffee slingers) are paid
$7.60 an hour on average; only 40 per cent of Starbucks workers are
covered by its health insurance program; and anecdotal evidence suggests
baristas endure injuries when they pour hundreds of frappucinos every day.