Starbucks Workers Union Gains Momentum as Campaign Expands to Canada
Submitted on Fri, 07/31/2009 - 1:45pm
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.
Montreal IWW Contact - http://sitt.wordpress.com/