Let's get the weekend OPEN THREAD going!

It's another chance for you -- Starbucks employees and customers -- to bring up anything SBUX-related.

Comments

[Sbux1]

Trenta is here on Tuesday... Just Say Yes!

[Gust]

Some time ago I elaborated on the development of Starbucks in the Netherlands. Since then, most of my expectations materialised or have been confirmed. VIA has been introduced in onboard rail catering (operated by Servex, a Dutch railroad subsidiary), a third Amsterdam station store will be opened at Amsterdam Zuid station (most likely also operated by Servex) and a new station store will open up at The Hague central station (definitely by Servex). No news yet of a store at Amersfoort station, but reconstruction at the site planned for Spring 2011 has been confirmed to include a Julia restaurant (also Servex) which also happened to be part of an earlier conversion project which brought a wonderful Starbucks store to Sloterdijk station (formally operated by Servex but I see a lot of Sbux EMEA employed staff there and it sits fairly close to their roasting plant, employee shuttle buses connect to rail at this station, I honestly think that Sbux EMEA consider it their test store). So I think that my Amersfoort store expectation will materialise as well.

The only evolution I missed out on is that Starbucks announced to start opening neighbourhood stores with a first one in Amsterdam, probably somewhere in Spring 2011 (recruitment already started). As far as I understand, this store will be operated by Starbucks EMEA and not by a licensee, so that would be a first for the Netherlands.

Provided my fairly good prediction track record, I thought that it was time to update my expectations. With respect to product range I think we will see the introduction of retail packages of VIA in the stores. Maybe we will also see the rollout of bagged Sbux beans in a national supermarket chain (AH or Jumbo?). Next up will be a lot more Servex operated stores at railroad stations. A store at Rotterdam Central Station has been announced earlier, but I think that will still take some time as heavy construction is ongoing at the site. We will probably first see Servex stores opening at stations in the Brabant area: Breda, Eindhoven, Den Bosch and maybe Tilburg or Dordrecht are good candidate locations there. As for the second Dutch licensee (HMS Host), I don't expect them to open up new airport stores any time soon. Finally the guessing is still open for the exact location of the announced Amsterdam neighbourhood store (I have no clue), but it may take some time before we see more neighbourhood stores opening in the Netherlands.

[108represent]

What is this about Trenta???

[spence]

We have had the trenta for months. It's a non issue. It's only used for iced teas or iced coffee. We tend to go through more tea (coffee in the summer.) On occassion, someone will ask for an iced latte and we explain that it's only used for iced coffee or iced tea. Never has it been a problem.

[MIKE]

Today At my local store I ordered my drink and told them I would be right back as I went to use the restroom. The door was locked (men's). I got my drink, sat and waited, and waited and waited...Asked the Barista if he could check and he said the restroom was occupied. So, then about 15 minutes later and the door opens, a girl whom I recognize as a BARISTA walks out and leaves the store. I am shocked but not as shocked when I pull the handle to find the door locked. The working barista comes over to unlock it but, when he knocks a male voice says they are in there...A good 5 minutes later he emerges, talks with a different working barista and leaves.....

WHAT GIVES???

[Hipsterdufus]

MIKE, baristas have to use the restroom too. I don't know what to tell you. There is no seperate employee restroom in most stores.

[curious]

who is doing volunteer work on Monday for MLK day?

[Waltie]

"WHAT GIVES???"

Uh... somebody was using the bathroom. Get over it.

[me]

I'm pretty sure he's saying that a female and a male employee were in the bathroom...having intercourse

[LarrySnds]

Please visit my blog, The Starbucks Chronicles. It is a slice of life seen from a chair at Starbucks. www.buxchronicles.blogspot.com.

[Melody]

@LarrySnds - One thing I've learned is that there are A LOT of Starbucks blogs out there, from many different perspectives. I see yours is from the view of someone wanting to write a book, and using the blog as a place to start that. My own blog (just google my name & Starbucks) is much more about the coffee, products and experiences that Starbucks produces. You look you're on your way to a novel. Good luck.

[Crema_the_Crop]

Are they announcing a nationwide launch of the Trenta size, or is it only in warm-weather markets?

I'm also predicting an aggressive expansion of the oven-warmed and chilled/lunch food offerings in stores as part of this "blueprint for growth". Think Panera.

[Barista4ever]

Good call, me. Well, I thought I had seen and heard it all in my many years with Starbucks but that takes the cake. Mike, I guess we could take the high road and assume he was "coaching" her in private about Beverage Repeatable Routine.
Nahhh. But really, a bathroom at Starbucks?? Ladies, take some advice from a woman of a certain age. If he doesn't have his own place or the price of a decent hotel room, flee!

[Melody]

@Crema - Re: Trenta size. I don't think it's nationwide yet. Through twitter and other places, I've heard it's coming to the south, such as Tx, Ga, other states, NC, and I think much of Calif gets the Trenta. But not yet in here in Seattle. Hope that helps. I'd be curious if anyone else has more information... Interesting topic.

[Au Lait]

We began testing Trenta at my north-Georgia store early this past summer. As spence said, the Trenta size was only available for iced teas and iced coffees. Last I heard, it was determined that it would not be added to the national menu, but maybe something has changed if they are launching it in more stores.

[MIKE]

Yes----some of you got it, there was a GIRL BARISTA and A GUY in the guys bathroom.....

My issue was that it appeared the working baristas knew something was going on in there...

[correcting misinformation]

Oh wow. Ummm... that's kinda messed up. If the working barista's knew they might have just not said anything because they didn't want to make an awkward situation even worse. Probably pretending they didn't know what was going on.

[Coffee Soldier]

If the baristas left the store after exiting the bathroom then they were not working...I could see this being annoying BUT on the other hand if they were not working its not really your problem. Maybe they are former baristas. Maybe he was helping her zip up a dresss to wear out after work...there are many maybe's before you go making accusations that something innapropriate was happening. Do you know how many times we as baristas finally get a 2 minute lull and run around the counter to go to the bathroom only to find a mom and her 4 kids scooting in and being in there for 20 minutes...well then another 20 customers come in and you go back to help them...I can't even count the number of times I've thought my bladder was going to explode behind the bar because I can't get into the bathroom cause of the line of people (half not cutomers) waiting to use it. I often use the mens or womens no matter which one is open and which one has no line and then you come out and get dirty looks from the customers waiting....that is the one thing Starbucks needs is a partner bathroom in the backroom so that it is an easy in and easy out washhands and back to help the line not leave a line to go wait in a line....or maybe some green Siren embosed Depends for all! haha

[Waltie]

"I've thought my bladder was going to explode behind the bar because I can't get into the bathroom cause of the line of people (half not cutomers) waiting to use it. "

Here's a tip: If there is a line to use the bathroom, grab a handful of toilet paper and announce that you are restocking and will be done in a moment. Then go in and pee. Trust me, if customers (female customers, anyway), think there isn't enough toilet paper, they'll be happy to let you go in and restock.

Be assertive.

[frappuccinist]

Mrs. Krabappel and Principal Skinner were in the Starbucks bathroom making babies and I saw one of the babies and then the baby looked at me.

[Judy]

Trenta is already in parts of New England

[P]

MIKE, why do you care about this?

[Coffee Soldier]

Great idea Waltie! Thanks...you'd have thought after 8 years someone would have thought of that idea to get into our bathrooms!

[meme]

we are starting trenta tomorrow. We have many customers now that come in and ask for venti teas no ice, no water How do you deal with this sort of order for trenta? I assume two no water, no ice trentas will be one whole pitcher of brewed tea.

[spence]

@Meme, We get 2 customers a day who order a trenta iced with no water. No ones cares and there's a good reason for it. It's cheap! I mean really cheap. His trenta paid for the whole bag and we still have tea to sell. Some things just aren't worth getting excited about and this is one of them.

[usorthem3]

Off to a store closing/death party. My friend Erica did a great job over the last two years bringing all the scores into the 90's since she took over. But alas, the lease is up and since the rest of the shopping area is almost empty, the price is too high to continue. Another one bites the dust and the cohesive partners are scattered to the winds. We got to inherit one of the staff & he has never worked any other store so we welcome him to our level of busy. So long 26th & Precinct, you were a good friendly stopping place. RIP Starbucks #6343

[John]

I have been with sbux for 4 years this month and I am going to be assesed for ASM coming Feb. Does anyone know the questions or an idea on what to be expecting question wise and process length. Also min and max pay, and how to negotiate pay. Thank you

[James Connolly]

Just a reminder that without the SWU, not a single Starbucks wage employee would be receiving time and a half today.

[adoubleshotofclarity]

Scenario 1: A minuscule subset of partners release a list of demands similar in specificity and volume to Nostradamus' predictions, with the sole (if unstated) goal of taking credit for all positive initiatives Starbucks launches to validate an existence viewed with indifference by the vast majority of their peers.

Scenario 2: A company trying to regain the emotional investment of its workforce after it was damaged during the economic downturn and a major corporate transformation hires a new head of HR. That VP launches a major corporate initiative to find out what their employees value most, by asking them directly. Over 100,000 responses are analyzed, and the results inform a restructuring strategy that in the past few months has included enhancements in stock options and 401k, an enhanced tuition reimbursement program in pilot, a cash bonus to hourly employees and now a 7th annual holiday.

I know which scenario passes my sniff test.

[adoubleshotofclarity]

Oh, and why MLK Day, as opposed to the other bank holidays Starbucks doesn't currently observe (President's Day, Veteran's Day or Columbus Day)? Two reasons.

1- It's close to the time of the announcement, making the benefit seem much more tangible to partners in an industry where annual turnover is high. Make an announcement in November for the following fall? Most will shrug it off. Make it for a month or two out? People get excited.

2- Starbucks has made a major push to energize its community strategy over the last year or so. The new Community Service website. The big goal of 1 million hours of service by 2015. I've heard there's a lot more coming up this spring as part of the 40th Anniversary. MLK Day is a sexy holiday culturally right now. "It's not a day off, it's a day on". The holiday is now part of the benefits package as another partner perk, but the reason it's this one is because it's the holiday that ties closest to Starbucks' core values.

[Curious]

Whats the big annoucement that's scheduled for today?

[Norma Rae]

Dont you just love the union taking credit for MLK...Wow you guys are idiots go back to Goverment Motors...I laugh every day when I think of the moment Ronald Reagan Fired an entire union...You Guys are so 80'sYou do not get credit for MLK sorry...not your call..haha I laugh laugh laugh and pity those partners that actually put stock in what you say

[Coffee Soldier]

It's also a lot cheaper to pay the partners who get scheduled time and a half then to give all partners 2 personal days a year...the company looks looks pro-partner but also saves money in this decision...

[aces of eight]

Lol unions

[adoubleshotofclarity]

I wouldn't link the two together, Coffee Soldier. There's no causality, and with all the changes taking place to the partner pay/benefits package it's dangerous to assume that any two changes from the Transformation era and the post-Partner Survey era are one-for-one swaps.

[frappuccinist]

Do we get time and a half for MLK Day?

[James Connolly]

@adoubleshotofclarity: The two scenarios you listed aren't mutually exclusive. Starbucks made a staggering amount of money this year, and given that Schultz has been getting some bad press of late, they can't afford to sit on it and do nothing. In addition, considering that the company's primary market are people who are going to be sympathetic to the idea of workers getting paid time and a half on MLK Day, it makes sense that they would make this change to garner some good press and stop giving the union an excuse to run a marching band in front of their logo and get good press.

I'm not denying that we are a small group of workers, but even a tiny pebble can trip up a giant; without the union making this an issue every year for three years the company wouldn't have felt compelled to make this change because no one would have been talking about it.

Oh, and aces and eights and Norma Rae, sneer if you wish, but the union went public with eight workers at the Astor Place store today, which is the largest store in NYC. We -are- growing, whether the company wants it or not.

[James Connolly]

@frappuccinist: Yes, yes we did. You're welcome.

[Waltie]

Point and match to adoubleshotofclarity.

[Eliot]

@John I would assume ASM pay range varies by market. I have heard $28K-$32K. The offer is based on years with the company and most recent performance review. Let us know how it goes!

[aces of eight]

I'm not sneering, I'm laughing. I know your hearts in the right place but you take yourself way too seriously and come across as extremely arrogant. You aren't going to get anyone on your side with that attitude, and unions cause a lot of problems for workers. Voluntary unionization is fine but it often leads eventually to forced unionization. Where are the rights of the employed if they have to join a union and pay dues. Unions end up in the end just as bad as the companies they were against. And with your attitude, your union is off to a great start.

[spence]

Gee. If we had a union, maybe we would all be as happy as the General Motors employees.
Starbucks doesn't need a union. They aren't mean to us. They just overwork us like every other retail store in America. Only they offer us discounted health benefits, grievance pay, vacation pay, breaks (most of the time), free beans and free drinks.
Review the Forbes list of corporations w the best packages. I'd be curious to find another company with the same benefits for only working 20 hours a week.
Really, I do wish the pro union people would stop taking up valuable gossip space.

[adoubleshotofclarity]

James, the (current) problem with you is that you are MAKING it mutually exclusive when you say things like "you're welcome" and "without the union making this an issue every year for three years the company wouldn't have felt compelled to make this change because no one would have been talking about it". I'm not trying to claim you never asked for this, but I am wholeheartedly refuting your assertions that the union played a role in this. Not a pivotal one like you claim. Not even a minuscule one like you secretly admit to yourself before puffing out your chest and peacocking around on the internet. You sound like a sports fan claiming that his cheering was the one and only reason his team won a game.

[Norma Rae]

Game Set Match goes to adoulbleshotof clarity

Big Whoop they gained eight members today in New York and their union dues, and got us MLK day...what a load of @#$%...Ive worked in union enviroments and ALL unions serve one purpose their own! You guys are simply funny,
pump your chests out further you did nothing your right you are not a pebble in the way of a giant,,,,More Like gum on the bottom of our shoes...

[factsareimportant]

Consider the simple facts:

1) For years and years, Starbucks never once said a word about holiday pay on MLK Day.

2) Three years ago, the Starbucks Workers Union makes public the company's treatment of MLK Day as contrasted with the company's treatment of six other federal holidays.

3) For the first time ever, Starbucks then discusses publicly its MLK policy saying, "Starbucks pays time-and-a-half holiday wages on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, and Christmas Day. This is a standard practice across the foodservice and restaurant industry."

4) The Union carries out persistent actions all across the country including major mobilizations on MLK Day itself. Howard Schultz attempts to deflect the Union's message with internal communications stating that Starbucks respects Dr. King and by promoting volunteer initiatives on MLK Day.

5) Despite Starbucks' deflection attempts, the actions of union baristas raise public awareness around the issue including through sources like the New York Times, which Starbucks sells in its stores and in which it advertises to reach its target consumer.

6) As union baristas are gearing up for another year of MLK Day mobilizations, the company decides to implement holiday pay on Dr. King's holiday. Not on Veteran's Day or President's Day. MLK Day.

7) Starbucks goes from "this is a standard practice" to paying a holiday premium on a holiday on which probably no other fast food chain does.

P.S. @adoubleshotofclarity, ask your colleagues in Seattle how much they paid to Edelman for combating the Union's MLK initiative. I promise you the number will shock you. Ask Marianne Duong or anyone else in Global Communications how they calculate the cost of negative media and public attention. Trust me, if you're sincere and not on the Edelman payroll, you'll revise your analysis.

In Sum: MLK holiday pay didn't come out of the clear blue sky or from some routine corporate "listening" process. It came when paying the time and a half was more cost effective for Starbucks than continuing to hold out against the Union's campaign.

[former one]

Support local coffee shops..

[James Connolly]

factsareimportant beat me to it and better than I could have written, but there's a few things I have left to say:

@aces of eights: one of the foundation stones of the IWW is voluntary association. We don't want to force people into the union, and our dues structure is set up so that if you have a problem with how the union is spending dues, you can withhold them and express your qualm. As far as unions ending up as bad as the companies they fight, I have yet to see a union ever hire paramilitaries to kill corporate executives like Coca-Cola has in Colombia for union organizers. Also, of course I take my membership in and advocacy for the union seriously, but I do try to have a sense of humor about it. That you think it's a bad thing to take something like struggling for a living wage seriously says more about you than me.

@spence: Yes, I'm sure those UAW workers are cursing the fact that they have health benefits, a decent wage, the ability to fight for safer working conditions, and a retirement. And before you say anything about GM's bankruptcy, I'm sure it's all the UAW's fault that GM built shitty cars that no one wanted to buy. As far as Starbucks' fantastic benefits, what about the significant cuts to the health plans that took place when Premera became the provider? What about the reworking of the 401(k) that was a cut in disguise? What about Optimal Scheduling and the hour cuts? What about the cuts to SIP? Mark my words: there will come a time that all of these things will get another round of cuts because that is the nature of any corporation, regardless of how 'ethical' its advertising copy is.

[Aces of Eight]

@James Connolly: No, not really because you still aren't getting my point. I told you I am sure your heart is in the right place. I am not disparaging you trying to make your work environment better. What I AM disparaging is the attitude that you display, which makes it unlikely for anyone to want to associate with you. Maybe you don't mean to sound the way you do, but you come across in a way that is hardly going to win friends.

Saying I am disparaging your struggle to make your work environment better is a strawman, a pretty easy one to knock down. That is not at all my point, my point is all about your attitude.

And yes, Unions do get very heavy handed. They force people to join up and pay dues (maybe not in your unions case) and they intimidate people who go against the union. They picket and intimidate people who are in non union companies (even if those people are quite happy the way they are).

A recent example is a huge group of union workers invading someone's lawn when the guys kid was inside and terrorizing a 13 year old kid. The kid had nothing to do with it, they were after his father. But they invaded personal property in a campaign of intimidation. There is quite a lot of union violence and thuggery out there. I am not saying your union engages in such.

What I am saying is that unions need to be careful that they do not end up as bad as the companies they are fighting against. I could give many examples of places where unions have indeed done just that, become just as bad or worse as what they were fighting.

And my other point is, with the casual arrogance and combative attitude you exhibit, not only are you unlikely to win friends, you are going down a dangerous road that leads to bad things. That's all I'm saying, think about how you sound to other people.

[James Connolly]

Then why even bring it up if the IWW doesn't do those things? It's akin to me trying to tar Starbucks by bringing up the BP oil spill. We protest, we educate workers on the shop floor, and undertake industrial action like putting special MLK Day stickers on the sides of cups. We don't threaten children, and we aren't on our way to doing so, so you bringing it up makes absolutely no sense in any way, shape, or form.

And what attitude? I merely stated something that some people disagreed with in a succinct fashion, and then shot back with a couple of flip comments for those who got snarky, including yourself with 'Lol unions' (which is, by the way, part of why I thought you were 'disparaging my struggle'), and a substantive response to those who merited one. Explain to me how anything I've written here is arrogant, because I am honestly at a loss and if I am being arrogant then I'd like to know.

[Aces of Eight]

I didn't say you did that stuff, another strawman. You are knocking down arguments I never tried to make.

I am saying that a bad attitude is going to do two things. 1) Not make friends. 2) Make it more likely you are going to lose sight of your principles. Am I saying you will actually lose sight of your principles, no, so please don't say I did.

What is my point, I have tried to explain a couple times, let me make it clearer.

If you haven't noticed several people have pointed out that the way you post rubs them the wrong way. And I say look back at what you post and think about how some people might take it. I'm not saying you meant it that way. Really. However I seem to not be alone in taking it that way.

If you are doing PR for your union, and you want to get more people on your side, you probably want people to be interested rather than put off. I understand you are a fledgling union, you need support, you want to show people you are doing something.

However the comment "Yes you're welcome" as just one example, is going to look arrogant and self serving to some. Just saying, think about how what you write may come across to some people (not saying you mean it that way), really.

What I am writing right now may come across to you as being rude, or overly combative, I am aware of that and trying to tone it down. If it does come off that way, understand that isn't how it is meant.