Starbucks officials refuse to talk to reporter about workers' complaints

Even part-time workers can get medical, dental and vision insurance coverage, so what's their problem?
Daniel Gross, who is leading attempts to organize a baristas union, says part-time Starbucks workers get benefits only if they work 20 hours a week, which isn't guaranteed. And when they do get benefits, they must pay for them. That cost is especially difficult when baristas are paid $7.75 an hour, $2.60 over the minimum wage, he says. But the worst problem that baristas suffer, reports Tania Padgett of Newsday, is the repetitive motion injuries caused by the coffee-making movements. (Newsday)
> Benefits for part-timers? Nearly 8-bucks an hour? Many say Starbucks workers have it good and don't need a union. What do you think? Hit the comments link.

Comments

[PigDog]

Unions really have little place in most working enviroments today, other then to push their Marxist idologies on the unsuspecting. This is not like the times of the early 20th century where humans in industrial working enviroments where treated little better then animals. Working conditions and issues can be addressed through the labor boards of the states. If a barista is unhappy with the comp. rate or benefits they are free to find another job. You are worth what the market will support for your labor. Price yourself, through force (ie. Union), out of your market and you'll see what happens. Drive the price of the coffee up and sales will drop, stores will close, especially in markets that can't support higher costs (poorer places, where the workers at Starbucks REALLY need the jobs). The means a loss for the community as a whole.

[corianderstem]

Daniel Gross is complaining that baristas have to pay for their benefits? Gee, what an outrage. Here's a newsflash, buddy: most of us American workers have to pay for our benefits. Another news flash? It ain't cheap for anybody these days, whether you're making a barista's salary or not.

[Mimi]

What about doing some research to put this in perspective? Can Starbucks *afford* to pay their workers more to offset health care costs and still make a decent profit?

[Bidj]

If it is so damn bad to work at Starbucks get a different job!!!

[bunksmom]

There are 43 million Americans without health insurance.
I would venture to say that quite a few of these people have jobs that don't offer health insurance to part time employees. In 17 years in the service business, I have NEVER worked in a place that offered benefits to part time employees. These people work for a global company that has established itself as a leader in health benefits. I don't know about NY, but the state
I live in is a right to work state, and they should exercise their right to work somewhere else.

[LethargicLass]

I've worked for Starbucks for 4 years now, and I'm willing to pay the $9.20 a paycheque to get my benefits... the fact that it only costs me $5 for a $315 prescription is worth it to me... I don't know of any place that has better than that...

[Adult at Work]

Truth is, a lot of companies don't even offer health benefits, even to full-time employees and when they do you pay for them - usually much more than we do and many times for lesser quality health care. All of this with no degree, flexible hours, and a great atmosphere. If you can't see what you have, go try to find a better job. You will be back.

[Safeway barista]

Just a FYI:
I work in a licensed (no its not a franchise)Starbucks stores. I'm trained & regulated by Starbucks but paid by Safeway in the Seattle area. Yup I'm union and yup they "push their Marxist idologies on the unsuspecting". Most baristas have to start out at $7 something & can't receive tips. If you have experience & their desperate they'll start you out a bit higher. I negotiated (and had an "in") and started out at top union scale rate (Starbucks department is under the deli scale) which tops at $12.90 for just a barista in a small kiosk. For a family of 4 the PPO health plan (which pretty much is 100% and 80% dental plus eye etc. I pay $37 a month union dues and $20 a week for my coverage. Not to shabby!

[Safeway barista]

I have to work 60 hours a month for myself & 80 for my family to receive coverage.

[Savemart Slave]

I worked a horrible union job for 6 1/2 years. I now work for Starbucks and can turly say unions are for the "thinking impaired." How long until Safeway says, lets pull the same stunt as we did in So. Cal and our stupid associates will go with it. Just a note, where were those reps when all the So. Cal workers houses and cars were being repoed? Unions suck and the rest of your business is only beging to feel the pressure. As for Daniel, if you don't believe in what you are doing, jump the boat and go work for Safeway or some other "wish-we-were" Starbucks and see how "great" your life is. Those companines don't understand needing a day off on a Saturday because, "we do our business then." Or call in sick and see what happens. Ergo, leave. As for dues, does the company pay for your benifits or does the union, so whom "do" you owe.

[Jen]

Health care costs are astronomical these days. Working for Starbucks, I pay just over $30 a paycheck so that my son and I can have full coverage medical, dental and vision. This is cheaper than my husband, who works for the Government, would be paying for all of us. It amazes me that someone would think that they should get their health benefits for free. Maybe they should go live in Sweden, that may fit their needs a little more, where the government pays for all of schooling and health and other things of that nature. Get a life buddy.

[Joe]

I recently took a benefits class which brought up a lot of perks that i didn't know existed, for example, you get 2 personal days per calendar year, apart from vacation days. that's 2 free days paid...regarding health, I don't thik Aetna is the greatest but getting benefits for working only 20 hours per week is prety good, in addition to the stocks, 401K. If you can do better, I'd like to know.

[ROXIE]

Let me get this straight - for union you pay $20 a week for coverage AND $37 a month dues for your benefits? Yet as a Sbx employee, you only pay $16 every two weeks for health coverage. $117 vs. $32 - which do you think a barista can afford more? ANY union job I've ever seen will have you paying more for union dues than Sbx makes you pay for your benefits.

And 20 hours a week? It's averaged over the quarter, and you can *always* pick up shifts. If you are working at a store where they will not give you 20 hours a week, than you are either not a good worker or your availability sucks (that's YOUR OWN issue)...there *has* to be a reason you're not getting the hours.

[alber]

i am intrest work in the new store in hamilton and my phone no /7324852114 thank you.

Here's a little food for thought. The union claims that it will REQUIRE that Starbucks gives a minimum of 25 hours to all hourly partners. Hmmm...Ok. First off, most employees aren't even available to work that many hours. Most of my baristas want between 15 and 20 a week. If we had to schedule all partners 25+ a week, well, about half the baristas in the company would have to be let go. Does that sound like a helping hand to the poor proletariate masses?

[Gabriel]

"Here's a newsflash, buddy: most of us American workers have to pay for our benefits."
Wow, are we really supposed to believe that because most American's are getting screwed out of health care coverage, we should attack anyone who believes they have the right to coverage? Imagine if a few bullies were picking on everyone on the playground, and when a kid says he wants to fight back, all the other kids say "What makes you think you shouldn't be bullied? We're all getting bullied!" I guess misery loves company.
What Daniel's doing is fighting for something that all Americans deserve. Why do we deserve this? With the wealth that this great nation has accumalated we could easily pay for healthcare for all. That it's fallen on the shoulders of corporations to pay for healthcare for their workers is not the workers fault. We're spending our money on other things, and you can read the newspaper on any given day to see what we're wasting billions on.
Also, next time you see a Barista with an wrist brace, keep in mind that that injury was on the job, and because of the nature of the job. Who should pay for that, hm?

[Matt]

Is this guy serious? Mabye this is his first job and he does not realize how good he has it! There is no one perfect company, they all have their trade off's. Find your and shut up!

[becky]

I am a starbucks shift supervisor, and all I can say is that this guy should try and find a better deal. The pay is very fair, and the cost of the insurance is probably a quarter of what other folks would pay buying it on their own. Not to mention all the paid time off...

[Jim]

I know from personal experience that Starbucks treats its employees great. I have never seen any repetitive motion injury in my stores. Pay is above average (don't forget to factor in tips), benefits are second to none. I have never worked for a better company. I find the slander insulting.

[MGR]

I've only heard of one barista who needed a wrist brace in all of my years at Starbucks. Quite frankly, given the fact nearly every store will have verismos and magistrales, wrist injuries are a moot point.

As for you, Gabriel, I think it's just fine that Daniel is taking a stand. But why punish a corporation who constantly lobbies (specifically the CEO himself) the current administration for universal healthcare? Sure, join the fight for responsible socialism, but don't fight those who are fighting for you.

[ash]

does starbucks start a new young teenage employee off at over minimum wage?

[Fred]

Was wondering what the pay range was for the shift supervisors and also what the managers of a location make. If anyone could offer some insite it would be greatly apprecaited!

[Workertobe]

I can see what's Daniel's point from his position. I would also think the same thing from getting the benefits from Starbucks did offer on their site. I think we should have asked for a more than 20 hour week guaranteed job to avail this.
Im currently applying for nearby drive-through starbucks. Im very thankful for this thread had opened up.

[April]

I am a Starbucks barista at a Safeway in Maryland. I had no idea that the starting wage for most regular Starbucks and Safeway Satrbucks was $7 or more. I'm dissapointed because I only make $6.15(minimum wage).

[A Working Mom]

Gabriel, while I appreciate your sentiment about universal health coverage, I'm not sure that I'm willing to pay for it. The "Government" doesn't pay for it. The Taxpayer does.

Why am I responsible for paying for someone else's healthcare, when I've taken the time to educate myself, garner skills to make me a marketable asset to ANY company, and--more importantly--looked for jobs that offer health benefits as a means to attract and retain their employees?

And, yes, Gabriel, you're right about spending money on other things--I'd rather spend money on research and development of alternative fuel sources, than say, healthcare for someone who doesn't contribute taxes to pay for it!

Americans DESERVE nothing! We work for what we get. It has ALWAYS been that way, and is what the American Dream is all about. Work hard and be rewarded. A hand up, yes. A handout--no way!

[Robb]

I think a Starbucks Union is definately in order. At this time there is no job security and the benefits are great if you maintain 20 hours. I was lucky to get 15 some weeks and the low hourly wage is not livable. I was recently fired fro m Starbucks for "cash handling" violations. every one who has worked for Starbucks knows that that is what they use to get rid of people for other reasons. I have no recourse. If everyone who has 3 cash handling violations was fired there would be no partners left! I only wish I had a union rep to talk to or some kind of resourse.

[barockstar]

'cash handling violations' is code.
but it's code for theft.

hope it was worth you job.

and you have sooo many resources to turn to if you thought you were dismissed unfairly. namely the business code of conduct line. and your PR department.

everyone who has 3 cash handling violations does get fired. and we still have baristas aplenty.

[Robb]

"cash Handling Violations" was code for my manager had a personal problem with me. I believe that I was one of the strongest baristas in my store and not everyone gets fired with 3 cash handling violations. There are overages and shortages all the time that are either overlooked or the partner is given the chance to try and find it. I was written up for 2 violations a month after the fact and then the third was not brought to my attention until the day I was fired. I am not a thief. if I was I would know that I deserved to be fired and not so unhappy about it. I will definately be calling th e Code of Conduct Line. Thanks for that idea!

[Margaret McCarthy]

What I have always enjoyed about Starbucks, no matter where I travel is the consistency. There are few national chain stores that can stake the claim of being reliable on quality.

Well, Starbucks have joined the ranks of the mediocre with the introduction of their new automated machines that draw our shots of espresso. I would have to say that there is no difference between Starbucks and the gas station “press the button” service, except that we pay more at Starbucks.

I knew something was different, but have had troubles with stores not being consistent with one another, so I went to my old favorite location today.

When I peaked around the corner and saw the new equipment, I inquired about how often the new equipment is calibrated. There was no set schedule and the young person was disgusted because they felt they didn’t have the ability to serve the customer like it used to be.

Then I asked how they clean the machine, and the answer was not only surprising, but disgusting. There is no way for the workers to clean these machines because they are self-contained.

All these years I would judge a Starbuck’s worthiness by how I witnessed the “barista” performing their job. Some of the better stores would clean the old machines several times a day and they knew how to calibrate for the best quality product.

The latte I paid for today was lackluster and weak (even with my paying for an extra shot in a grande).

Starbucks has just made themselves another common vendor.

Boo! Yuk! You lost my business.

[Theolaxor]

Umm obviously the person you spoke to didnt know what they were talking about. The machines are calibrated hourly and usually cleaned twice daily. many of the parts are removed during the daily cleaning, and about once every quarter the techs come in and disassemble and reassemble the whole machine to clean and fix any worn out parts. although it is true that the shots just dont taste the same...

[Boston Starbucks Rebel]

The reality is that the above processes don't take place that often. There was a short spot in the Scoop and it says there was a comment made about weak shots. I must say that I hate the Versimos and I personally calibrate the machines to the CORRECT setting of 18-23 seconds. The customers will thank you for having coffee that actually tastes like espresso.

[imabarista]

18 - 23?

How about 14 - 17?

[Theolaxor]

i believe he means correct as in how the marzocco used to pull them

[frank]

how about, even more correct at 13-17?

as that is the standard.

Margaret,
You must have talked to an idiot. We have tablets that run cleaner through our machines, this occurs every night and sometimes during the day. The steam wands are constantly sanitized, and on top of it all we time our shots every morning to ensure they are up to par, and i check them throughout my shift. If you were told differently i would say you spoke with an employee who had no idea what they were talking about.
I love working at Starbucks, i dont drink coffee, but i love my job. Anybody who works there and has the nerve to sit here and complain should just quit. Get out now before you ruin the experince for your parteners and the customers.

[Tim]

Aloha,

I work for Starbucks in Hawaii and I must say I love my job. I am only part time and have a full time job.

No where else that I know of where a company offers all their employees that work an averag of 20 hrs per week are offered benifits! A lot of other MAJOR corporations require you to work 40 + hours and even then it is not guaranteed that you will get benifits. And the benifits that they do offer are the most outstanding I have ever sen. Now of course I am only aailable fewer than 20 hours so I do not qualify, but my FT job i do get benifits.

As for starting pay? Well here baristas off the street get $9/hr plus tips after the training period. Sounds like a fair deal to me!

As for cleaning and servicing. We calibrate the machines daily if not more often as needed. Clean the machines every night. For the internal we have cleaning tablets that go therough the "cycle" as it cleans where the beans are. We can access and clean the rest. Maintenance is done quarterly if not more often as needed.

It seems you have been sorely misinformed by someone who is really new or does not care about their job or has never worked a closing shift.

[Jeff]

I have worked at starbucks now for over 6 years, with only one small 5 month gap because I didn't enjoy the store or manager I was working with and thought I would try something different. That 'different' sucked. Starbucks is great! It allows me to go to school full time, work 20-25 hours, keep my health plan (health plans for non-full time employees is rare), have a stock investment plan which has done nothing but make me a lot of money I would have just spent on random stuff, and offer tuition reimbursement,and the "Make your Mark" programs which allows me to volunteer and donate money. Starbucks has it all. It's a great job for students, I have seen barista's make it to district managers and the oppertunity is there for all. What could a union provide that I don't already have?

[John]

ETHIOPIA: US coffee chain Starbucks is denying Ethiopia earnings of up to USD 88 million a year

The Ethiopian Reporter
October 28th, 2006

US coffee chain Starbucks is denying Ethiopia earnings of up to USD 88 million a year, the charity Oxfam claimed this week.

According to reports, Oxfam said that Starbucks asked the National Coffee Association (NCA) to block Ethiopia's bid to trademark two types of coffee bean in the US. The move would have given farmers a greater share of profits, it claims.

But Starbucks denies approaching the NCA, and the association says Ethiopia is being badly advised and there is no economic case to back Oxfam's views.

Last year, the Ethiopian government filed applications to trademark the coffee bean names Sidamo and Harar in US courts.

Oxfam claims that Starbucks flagged up the application to the NCA, of which the firm is a leading member. The NCA then filed its opposition at the US Patent and Trademark Office.

Oxfam's Phil Bloomer said his organization had worked with Starbucks in the past and appealed to the firm to "act responsibly". "Their behavior on this occasion is a huge backwards step and raises serious questions about the depth of their commitment to the welfare of their suppliers," he said.

But Starbucks senior vice president of coffee procurement, Dub Hay, denied approaching the NCA to oppose the Ethiopian move. "We did not get the NCA involved, in fact it was the other way around, and they contacted us."

Robert Nelson, head of the NCA, backed Mr. Hay's claim, adding that his organization opposed the Ethiopian move for economic reasons. "For the US industry to exist, we must have an economically stable coffee industry in the producing world," he said.

"This particular scheme is going to hurt the Ethiopian coffee farmers economically."

He claimed that the Ethiopian government was being advised to price itself out of the market and that the trademark move would reduce demand for its coffee.

Oxfam said the NCA and Starbucks should not dictate to Ethiopia how best to sell its products.

Ron Layton, president of Light Years IP, which is advising the Ethiopian government on the matter, said Ethiopia doesn't want to charge a flat fee as part of the licensing agreement.

But he said the long-term plan would be to establish the brand and then use that leverage to gradually boost the prices that companies like Starbucks pay for those coffees.

Ethiopia is also working to secure the rights to the three coffee names via the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The country has succeeded in its attempt to trademark the name Yirgacheffe, but a final decision has not been made on the other two. A coffee trade group of which Starbucks is a member, the National Coffee Association of U.S.A., has filed protests arguing that the names are generic.

Sean O'Connor, an associate professor of law at the University of Washington, said he thinks it would be costly and difficult for Ethiopia to maintain the trademarks on the coffee types, if it received them. If it failed to constantly work to enforce the trademarks, the country would risk losing them, he said.

Also, O'Connor said, trademarks may not produce higher prices, arguing that it might make more sense to seek the geographic certification for Ethiopian beans, much like wine growers in France have done with the word "champagne." That's the type of process Starbucks also is suggesting.aff

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[FormerSbuxGirl]

Wow pay must vary from state to state . I worked in a Starbuck in the Hamptons almost 2 years ago for th summer and I was paid $12.50 per hour. I also worked way more than 20 hours. This was just a second job, but the checks and the tips were great. Seems to me it should be the same wage everywhere.

[diane]

i would like you to know starbucks does not pay me 7.75 i get paid a dollar less than that and if i get to keep my benifits it will be a a shock to me since the management just keeps you below the 20 hours a week they dont give a crap about their employees they just want to make a buck hints the name starbucks their nothing but liers

Diane,
Which city and state do u work in????

[Maureen]

I was hired at Starbucks today and told that I can always pick up shifts at other Starbucks as long as I stay under 40 hours. Has it been the case for most of you that you are able to pick up extra shifts?

[henna]

i had surgery on my wrist due to wrist related injuries from working at starbucks.

[Darleen]

Maureen,
Yes, you can always pick up shifts at other stores as long as you let your manager know so they can keep you from going over 40 hours, which is overtime. Most stores are usually looking for a barista when someone calls out or needs a day off, good luck to you!

[cemil bekmezci]

To Whom IT May Concern,

I just love Starbucks. I have been a most loyal customer since 1997. My love to sturbucks started when I was living in Washington DC. Because of my job, last year, I start living in Turkey. As an American you could not imagine how wonderful to get a feeling to be in home in this side of the world, this happens when I enter a Starbucks in wherever in the world therefore my love will go on.
I am going to make my long story short. Why you should not buy any think form Carosel-Bakırkoy-Istanbul Tukey STARBUCKS branch. Almost every day I was stopping at one of your store in Istanbul to get coffee. This is my joy. Until I decided to take further step my heavenly Starbucks joy to next level Make my STARBUCKS at home!!! So I bought a KRUPS model espresso machine August 27, 2006 then living in hell started. How? 15 days later machine got broken I took the machine to the store to get a new one or fixed. But The Manager Mr. TANSEL BIBER refuse the exchange my machine with a new one then I insist on for new one. I went through a rough and hell conversation with him so he gave me a new one. Unfortunately, after one month second machine got broken too!!! Again I took back the machine to Mr. TANSEL BIBER he absolutely with a wall face and very cut and dry way to saying that he can not change the machine for second time he did not even bother himself to make a call to anyone to reconsider himself. This was not the best customer relations that I have ever seen. Such a narrow mind and ignored store manager. He kept saying that he has no authority to change the machine. The odd thing is when I told my story to other Sturbucks store managers they support and advocated me to write my experience to the corporate.
I wrote a complain letter to his supervisor to make think correct and luckily after 6 month of my letter, I received a call from local manager Mrz CANAN KELEL said sorry and apologies for his fault afterward she said that I do have right to return the machine or she can refund my money back . As long as if I do have either my receipt or warranty, I was happily run back to the store then Mr TANSEL was informed by Canan about the refund too. You think story will and here happily ever after. No, hell started again he was there insisting on I must provide the receipt I do explain him that I have an option to provide either or situation. But I did not change his opinion, I got frustrated by his not knowing what he is doing and he keep accuses me not to listing him. I came back to my home, found the received, MAYBE he will convince this time. Now here I am on a Sunday afternoon waiting almost a year to get help. May be Monday or next year some one will have power to tell or teach Starbucks world wide customer satisfaction to Mr Tansel. In the mean time I do wonder how he can get to be a manager in a busy CAROUSEL-BAKIRKOY-ISTANBUL location.
Despite all, I love Starbucks but I think your company policy which is customer satisfaction is dangling in this side of the world.

[Coffee Sauce]

I'm a painter with a master's degree trying to get my studio and sales up and running. I need a part time job to make rent since selling paintings is not a dependable source of income, so I'm applying to Starbucks because they have the BEST benefits for part timers anywhere around. (that I've seen, at least)

I'm accident prone, and need the insurance!

Do you guys know what shift supervisors make in the Chicago area? How many hours?

[Becky]

I was a shift manager for Starbucks but an accident caused me to have to leave which is beside the point. I have nothing but excellent things to say about Starbucks. I am talking about a retail Starbucks not the ones that are run by places like Acme or Safeway. I have no idea how they are run. If you are looking for a workplace that will pay you benefits for part-time work you will have a hard time finding one that pays for medical,dental and vision. Yes you may have to pay a small amount of money for the benefits but the benefits are excellent. This company takes care of their people better than any retail chain I have ever worked for and I have bee in retail since 1979. It makes absolutely no sense to pay them more money to pay the total insurance premium if they were to do that they would pay employees less and give them benefits with no premium. So it is six of one and half a dozen of the other.The bottom line is Starbucks is doing more than other major corporations and far more than our own federal government. So if you want to complain send your complaints to your legislator and leave those that are trying to help you alone. Oh and by the way Cemil i was a shift manager in NJ and I was making $9.25 an hour and I would have had benefits if not for my auto accident.

[Erin]

I am boycotting Starbucks! My Husband and I used to buy Latte's there sereval times a week. In recent years I have noticed a lack of consistancy between different starbucks locations and a huge decline in QUALITY!. Sometimes I order a chai latte and It has no chai in it...tastes like warm milk with no flavor, and After complaining to the teenager behind the counter, and them adding another squirt of flavor (twice) I ended up tossing my expensive drink straight in the trash. This has happened on more than one occasion and is unacceptable especially at the outrageous prices! Many times the drinks are warm or even cold! I finally had enough and purchaced my own expresso machine, and found that the drinks made at home are so much better , not to mention CHEAPER! I will never shop at Starbucks again. The coffee beanery has much better lattes! I intend on having all my friends and family boycott Starbucks as well!