Starbucks announces higher pay, but union workers will have to bargain for it | CNN Business
www.cnn.com
Starbucks employees are getting new benefits, but not all of them apply to unionized workers — at least not without collective bargaining.

Starbucks employees are getting more pay and new benefits, but some are only going to baristas that haven’t unionized. A National Labor Relations Board judge previously found that similar moves by Starbucks violate federal labor law, with the company appealing the decision.

The question of which workers get what perks and benefits has been one part of a bitter fight between Starbucks and union organizers across the country. Since the first location voted to unionize nearly two years ago, Starbucks has fought aggressively against the union drive. The NLRB has said that in some cases, the company engaged in illegal practices, with Starbucks refuting these claims.

As of mid-October, nearly 360 stores had voted in favor of a union, with the results certified by the NLRB. About 70 voted against, with those results certified. There are roughly 9,300 company-operated Starbucks locations in the United States.

  • HuddaBudda
    43•1 year ago

    Union members will get whatever increases were locked in last year, which vary. That means that many workers will get the 3% or 4% hike, and some the 5%, even if they are unionized. But the company will not offer new increases in pay, or vacation accrual benefits, to unionized workers — unless it is forced to concede those based on collective bargaining negotiations.

    Not to be mean, but a 5% increase on a $15 an hour job is like an extra $0.75.

    Did they think this was bargain power? What the people who are non-unionized every year get a free soda? And that was supposed to make them jealous?

    I think they are poking a bear, they should be leaving alone.

    • @agent_flounderEnglish
      23•1 year ago

      I hope they poke harder. This seems to be the year of unions rising up. Let the Starbucks union gain some more power and maybe the effect snowballs some more.

      • @[email protected]
        2•1 year ago

        It’s a cultural issue, and all the discussions we’ve been having for years are finally starting to have an effect.

    • Flying Squid
      15•1 year ago

      That’s about the annual raise I get at my job and it’s an office job. Why yes, it does suck.

      • Nougat
        16•1 year ago

        That amount doesn’t even keep up with inflation. We’re all getting pay cuts every year.

        • Flying Squid
          8•1 year ago

          Exactly. I am on FMLA right now, so I am not even getting paid. But I’m using the time to look for another job.