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Starbucks Workers Union Gains Momentum as Campaign Expands to Canada
Friday, July 31, 2009 : Quebec City Starbucks Baristas Steamed over New Scheduling Demands Quebec City, Canada – Steamed over unreasonable new scheduling demands and deteriorating working conditions, baristas at the Germain-de-Prés Avenue Starbucks filed for union accreditation Monday, becoming the first store in Canada to affiliate with the Starbucks Workers Union, a campaign of the Industrial Workers of the World labor union.
The Labor Relations Commission of Quebec will grant the union accreditation after verifying their authorization cards in the next few days.
Policy changes related to Starbucks’ new “Optimal Scheduling” program, one of a slew of recent schemes intended to slash labor costs, provided the main impetus for unionization. Under the new policy, Starbucks requires nearly around-the-clock availability from workers, while refusing to guarantee a single work hour each week.
"Starbucks workers have no job security and make a poverty wage, but at least until now, the hours were flexible, which was convenient for the many students who work here," said Simon Gosselin, a member of the union in Quebec City. "These policy changes would force our six shift supervisors, who are students as well, to take demotions, and a 10% pay cut.”
Once seen as a paragon of socially responsible business, the coffee giant’s image has been tarnished in recent months as executives have gutted workers’ benefits packages, decreased staffing levels, and increased demands on baristas in an attempt to shore up sagging profits amidst sharpening market competition and declining sales.
"For many Starbucks workers, the anti-student, anti-family requirements of so-called ‘Optimal Scheduling’ are the straw that broke the camel's back," said Erik Forman, a barista and member of the Starbucks Workers Union in Minneapolis. “Our campaign for secure work hours, fair pay, and a voice at work is gaining momentum. We welcome our sisters and brothers in Quebec to the union with open arms.”
The IWW Starbucks Workers Union is an organization of over 300 current and former employees at the world's largest coffee chain united for secure work hours, a living wage, and respect on the job. The union has members throughout the United States, and now Canada as well, fighting for positive change at the company and defending baristas treated unfairly by management.
Policy changes related to Starbucks’ new “Optimal Scheduling” program, one of a slew of recent schemes intended to slash labor costs, provided the main impetus for unionization. Under the new policy, Starbucks requires nearly around-the-clock availability from workers, while refusing to guarantee a single work hour each week.
"Starbucks workers have no job security and make a poverty wage, but at least until now, the hours were flexible, which was convenient for the many students who work here," said Simon Gosselin, a member of the union in Quebec City. "These policy changes would force our six shift supervisors, who are students as well, to take demotions, and a 10% pay cut.”
Once seen as a paragon of socially responsible business, the coffee giant’s image has been tarnished in recent months as executives have gutted workers’ benefits packages, decreased staffing levels, and increased demands on baristas in an attempt to shore up sagging profits amidst sharpening market competition and declining sales.
"For many Starbucks workers, the anti-student, anti-family requirements of so-called ‘Optimal Scheduling’ are the straw that broke the camel's back," said Erik Forman, a barista and member of the Starbucks Workers Union in Minneapolis. “Our campaign for secure work hours, fair pay, and a voice at work is gaining momentum. We welcome our sisters and brothers in Quebec to the union with open arms.”
The IWW Starbucks Workers Union is an organization of over 300 current and former employees at the world's largest coffee chain united for secure work hours, a living wage, and respect on the job. The union has members throughout the United States, and now Canada as well, fighting for positive change at the company and defending baristas treated unfairly by management.
Montreal IWW Contact - http://sitt.wordpress.com/
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For more information:
http://www.iww.org/en/node/4785
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