USA: Starbucks workers demand action to address 'discriminatory practices' & laws mandating consistent schedules
Author: Juliana Feliciano Reyes, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Published on: 6 December 2019
"These Philly baristas are taking on Starbucks in a fledgling worker movement", 2 December 2019
...in late July...with a dozen supporters...TJ Bussiere marched into the Starbucks at Broad and Washington where she worked...and demanded she resign. The group had other demands, too...: Managers...must be held accountable for “discriminatory practices” against workers of color and LGBTQ workers. The store must immediately implement the city’s new law mandating more consistent schedules...And managers must inform workers of their rights...
...Less than two weeks later...the manager in question was no longer with Starbucks.
...the Starbucks workers’ organizing...lack the institutional support of a traditional union or a labor group...
...[Nowakowska] chose Starbucks because of its reputation for being LGBTQ-friendly...then she got transferred to the new Broad and Washington store a month later that things took a turn.
A few weeks in at the store, her hours were cut...even though she was hired for full-time hours...
...And then there was the harassment from customers...such as those who insisted on calling her a man, as her manager just watched. Sometimes the manager gave the customer in question...a Starbucks gift card...as a courtesy...
...After they marched on the store, it was clear that they had gotten the attention of Starbucks.
“Partner resources” officials showed up...to hold one-on-one meetings with the workers...workers said they started getting the hours they requested...And their manager was replaced.
In a statement, [A] spokesperson...said, “We pride ourselves on creating an environment where partners are empowered to address concerns...through direct, two-way dialogue with their managers...We will work directly with partners to address any concerns and support their rights to discuss terms and conditions of employment.”
Related companies: Starbucks