Unions Attack Starbucks With New Media Campaign (VIDEO)

The ubiquitous coffee giant Starbucks has long been lauded for its corporate culture and employee benefits. But the Los Angeles Times reports this morning that the famed Seattle company has drawn criticism for low wages, meager health care benefits, and for preventing its workers from unionizing. Last week, Brave New Films launched StopStarbucks.com, and initiated a new media campaign via YouTube and Twitter.

Starbucks opposes the Employee Free Choice Act, which is currently pending in Congress. The act would make it far easier for employees to unionize.

The LA Times writes:

"Like most big businesses, Starbucks is opposed to the act. The coffee giant, which generates $10 billion a year in revenue, has joined forces with retailers Whole Foods and Costco in forming the so-called Committee for a Level Playing Field, which is backing what it calls a compromise plan."

Check out the StopStarbucks video below:

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Comments

[ghostieo]

I honestly do not understand this argument. Why is there a need for Starbucks employees to unionize? It's a job not a career unless you're management. They pay 7.00 plus tips. If you can't make this work for you move on to a different job. I've watched and agreed with all of Greenwalds films in the past but this one doesn't make sense to me. It's like working for Wendy's or Arby's its fast food that pays a little better. What does Shultz being a billionaire have to do with it? Seems like capitalism to me.

P.S. I'm pro union, grew up in a union family. I just don't see how it applies to Starbucks. Please explain. Thanks.

[oakley9]

There would never have been a need for unions if workers were treated right from the beginning. Period.

[skymuffin]

Those who are anti-union have been bombarded by the media propaganda -- many large news organizations have unionized workers, including many newscasters -- and, thus, are anti-union.

Sure, there are bad examples of unions and union workers, but there are many more good things that unions do for workers. There are also companies known for great customer service that are unionized. Their employees are treated well, and, in turn, treat the customers well.

[LTBROWN]

If it wasn't for the Unions for Postal Workers, there would be alot more disgruntal shootings. Nearly have of the last 2 generations of my family worked for the USPS.

[Social Construct]

I'm looking around at our economy at present and it's pretty bad, right? Union memberships have been at their lowest levels for years but there are people claiming that workers allowed to bargain for at least living wages have something to do with what has happened. So, a very small percentage of American workers are responsible for the trillions and trillions in bad debt that has wreaked havoc on the bulk of the people. Wow, unions ARE powerful! The fact that that makes almost no sense shouldn't matter much, right?

[iamtucci]

Like it or not Starbucks IS middle class job simply because the middle class has been disappearing. For many an employee, it is either a second or third job they have had to take on to make ends meet or just for health benefits, which are meager at best. Many employees cannot even afford the health plan because they are barely making min wage to begin with. This is why there is also a tip jar, to make everyone feel better.

If Starbucks employees unionize, then the next step is the rest of the fast food and corporate chain restaurants. My god, can you imagine it? Waitresses, unionized?

Any argument unions just allow workers to be lazy, or that by holding companies accountable we'll just be hurting ourselves, is bunk. Firstly, it's not a sin to want to slow down and appreciate life or the work you're doing. Secondly, what these two arguments are really pointing out is laziness on the consumers part for not embracing smart shopping and buying not only with yourself in mind but with your fellow humans.

I know, you may call me a dreamer, but capitalism doesn't breed selfishness, materialism, and impoverishment, it just makes them easy. This is how we've all been exploited since day one.

[mudshark12]

Boycott Starbucks!

[RegalPlatypus]

That's the absolute last thing you should do if you want to help. Starbucks as already closed hundreds of stores in the past year. Deny them business and more jobs will be lost.

[D-V-H]

Why not?
I support the unionization of workers and as such will support companies that aren't afraid to have unions. It's called voting with your pocketbook. Truly "free-market" if you ask me.

One needs to realize the high cost of "low-prices". When we allow the exploitation of workers we end up subsidizing business through government. Many low wage people have to resort to government paid food stamps and medicare to survive even when they are working 2 and 3 jobs and 40-80 hours a week. That is criminal!!!

[RegalPlatypus]

Typo there... "Starbucks [has] already closed hundreds..."

[fifty8]

When people vilify unions they must remember one thing, the union fights for a decent living
wage and benefits for their members.That's more than you can say for your banks or government.
No, I am not an auto worker or union member, but its mind boggling how people chastise them
for making strides forward and taking back a little bit from the corporate and banking greed you
whine about daily.I hear a lot of people say "I make good money without a union".That's only
possible because the threat of union certification is always in the owners mind.Take away that
threat and watch where your wages end up.Testing those waters will probably be reality very
shortly.

[luckybear]

Yeah the UAW really helped GM. We now own 72.5% of GM. Great government owned autos, that worked really well for Britain when they nationalized their worthless companies, right? If you want health care or better unemployment benefits go out and vote.

Unions hinder business and can destroy entire companies. Because of job banks programs and unbelievable perks combined with shrinking market share has destroyed America's auto industry. Thanks in large part to over powered unions GM will be cutting 21,000 workers on Monday. If GM could have cut costs and competed with Asia then maybe the government wouldn't have to stick $65 billion into GM. Don't tell me the union leadership was this ignorant; they saw the same thing management did, shrinking market share and losing money on every small car made in America. In a competitive industry costs matter, there is no way around this. Unions can slow down necessary change. Finally the UAW will pay for it's complacency.

[liberalsrheros]

bunk.

[Rule Of Law]

Starbucks is to coffee what Walmart is to the corner grocery--a blood sucking monopoly.

[drumz]

Hardly. Though Starbucks has displaced a few Mom & Pop businesses it pales next to what walfart has done to whole communities.

[Rule Of Law]

I many have hyperbolized...but not much.

[commentator101]

Can't wait for Starbucks to be unionized and go there to be greeted by surly clerks and served lukwarm coffee.

[drumz]

Your kidding, right?

That's a GOP talking point that unions breed apathy but nobody can prove it. Can you?

[stalingrd]

tell your marketing team to come up with something more creative

[The Albany Kid]

Mike Doty, where are you????

[pipetoe]

Unions aren't what they were originally....
When you have situations were people sit and do nothing but read the paper all day, just because of the union. That is a problem to me.

[Cullen Stalin]

Who would you say has a higher work-to-co­mpensation ratio - a union worker on the floor, or a corporate exec?

Also - your stereotypes of unions may apply to some, but they are not relevant to the Industrial Workers of the World, which is the union that represents Starbucks employees.

[pipetoe]

I don't know what to say about that....Our family has been in the business of oil tool industry and construction....My brother owns a company that builds highways and bridges. He's a great business owner in a moderate sized south easter city... No union...People who work for him love him....They are supportive of him and he of them....The city where they live is awesome and he pays most of their health care.
...and he has had equipment destroyed by unions...bad taste in my mouth about unions.
My husband doesn't own the business where he is currently working...but no union.

[DawnK]

Lately I have been on the fence about unions. I understand that they are there to protect the rights of the worker but it seems a lot of times they do harm. There's that Elkhart, IN music company that has been on strike for 3 years when nobody has a job, my father who is a retired CTA bus driver just had all his health benefits taken away and his pension made smaller by a renegotiated contract by the union. I'm not sure if they protect the union member employee or the union employee.

[Mark Miller]

Here's a question: Can't one assume that Union Dues can almost equal another Tax...especially if one doesn't want to join a "mandatory" union? There are folks here who are union members...I'm not. I was once, but that was 24 years ago.

[drumz]

Union workers make on average 30% more than non-union. Why would yoyu take less money? GOP talking point perhaps?

[SammyD]

People enjoy working at Starbuck's. Sometimes job satisfaction and an enjoyable work place is more important than what the union has to offer. haven't the unions ruined enough good organizations in America? cars and education are two I can think of immediately. Someone needs to unionize the unions to explain how business makes a profit so they can hire employees and grow.