This satisfaction month, Starbucks workers across the country are striking “over Starbucks’ refusal to cut price over modifications in satisfaction ornament insurance policies along with their unlawful union-busting marketing campaign impacting queer employees.”
The union has accused Starbucks of banning satisfaction decorations in shops. Whereas Starbucks has denied these claims, staff have posted an overwhelming number of instances the place managers and company higher-ups have eliminated or banned Pleasure decorations of their shops.
A TikTok posted by Starbucks staff reveals a buyer eliminating her drink after a district supervisor took down a satisfaction flag.
Earlier this month, a video of a Starbucks district supervisor in Ohio garnered hundreds of thousands of views. Within the TikTok, the supervisor was being confronted by a group member holding a satisfaction flag. Apparently, Starbucks had taken down all satisfaction decorations within the retailer, and when group members confirmed up with their very own satisfaction decorations, this supervisor tore them down.
When a buyer approached her and requested if she took down the flag, the supervisor responded by saying “Sure I did.” Upon listening to this, the shopper handed off her drink.
“I actually solely got here right here due to that assist,” the shopper advised the supervisor. “I’m not going to drink that. I am going to Dunkin… After I noticed the flag was up, I purchased a drink. I’d simply moderately not drink it now.”
Feedback on the TikTok included some individuals sharing their very own experiences with Starbucks. Whereas one worker shared that her retailer gave its staff satisfaction shirts and pins and even held a satisfaction occasion, this wasn’t the case for everybody.
“The shop by me had the flag up for thus lengthy after which have been advised to additionally take it down. Now I make my very own espresso at dwelling. I really feel so dangerous for the staff,” one commenter mentioned. “They actually don’t allow us to present who we’re in any respect,” mentioned one other. “They need us to deliver our real selves as companions, after which they don’t allow us to create a secure area.”
“Starbucks is denying that they made companions take down satisfaction decorations,” the video’s caption reads. “If that’s true, Starbucks, then what is that this district supervisor doing?”
Putting Starbucks staff are refusing to let the corporate proceed to profit from its public picture as a supporter of LGBTQ+ rights whereas failing to guard its queer staff. Moreover its inconsistent insurance policies relating to satisfaction decorations, the corporate has additionally retaliated against unionized employees by slicing hours, which implies that these staff can’t entry healthcare (together with gender-affirming care). In keeping with staff, Starbucks has used different union-busting intimidation techniques resembling withholding bank card ideas and threatening to remove advantages.
If Starbucks is admittedly as dedicated to LGBTQ+ rights as they declare to be, the corporate ought to hearken to its staff and assist its queer employees.
Jessica Bracken is a author residing in Davis, California. She covers leisure and information for YourTango.
