U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky joined protesting workers outside an Evanston Starbucks store Saturday and said that while giant coffee chain paints itself as a progressive employer, “in fact that’s not the case.”
The store, at 519 Main St., is among the roughly 300 Starbucks stores, out of nearly 16,000 nationwide, that are unionized. Employees went on strike last March over labor issues, as well as the larger issue of Starbucks’ refusal to bargain with their union to secure a contract.
“Three hundred Starbucks have organized around the country and they can’t get a contract,” Schakowsky (D-Evanston) added.
The union, Workers United, has reported that managers in some stores across the country have removed flags and decorations supporting LGBTQ+ Pride month.
It also claims that the company has backtracked on health insurance benefits—including coverage of gender-affirming care.
Schakowsky said it doesn’t matter whether anti-LGBTQ+ acts such as removing Pride decorations has been orchestrated by lower-level managers, or by the company’s leadership.
“We expect more from Starbucks…let Starbucks stand up and say we would welcome any kind of visual support of LGBTQ workers…they run the company. They can make sure LGBTQ flags…are allowed in the stores,” she said.
Conner Brennan, who is on the store’s Labor Committee and helped organize the March strike, said the purpose of the strike was “to build pressure on the company to negotiate a contract,” as well as to show solidarity with the company’s LGBTQ+ employees.
He said more Starbucks stores are participating in the current work stoppage, which will continue over the weekend.
He said the Main Street store has been without a manager for two months. The store was closed on Saturday.
Brennan said getting Starbucks to bargain a contract with its union stores “is going to be a long march.” He said the number of unionized stores needs to increase to organize more effective labor actions in the future.
The Congresswoman is true to her cause, and for that I respect her, while disagreeing with virtually each of her positions and Progressive stand.
The totally unnecessary ESG movement of corporate intimidation notwithstanding,
corporations have a Fiduciary responsibility to maximize return on shareholder equity.
But that’s not the point of this comment.
Great corporations like Apple, Costco and yes Starbucks are leaders in outstanding treatment of their employees while providing products and services that delight customers.
It’s really hard to think of a more benevolent corporation than Starbucks.
Inserting a socialist construct between me, the one who wants to work, and the boss, who chose to give me an opportunity, seems suboptimal to me.
For inspiration and instruction on customer excellence, please see on Hulu, The Bear, Season 2, episode 7 “Forks”.
From the article:
“The union, Workers United, has reported that managers in some stores across the country have removed flags and decorations supporting LGBTQ+ Pride month…”
As a private entity, that is Starbucks’ prerogative…
“It also claims that the company has backtracked on health insurance benefits—including coverage of gender-affirming care…”
5 Companies Showing True Trans Allyship By Offering Gender-Affirming Healthcare To Employees
https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/02/06/trans-inclusive-companies-healthcare/
“Starbucks:
Since 2018, the world’s largest coffee shop that made the “Frappuccino” a household name has covered gender-affirming care for trans employees. The Seattle-based company initially covered bottom surgery in 2012 and now includes all other steps in a person’s medical transition. These include “cosmetic” procedures that go uncovered by most insurance companies – including top surgery, hair transplants and removals, and facial feminization surgeries. Not only that, but the company will also assist their trans employees in finding the appropriate doctors and healthcare providers…”
The “issue” with a Starbucks *union* shop is that health care is a “negotiable” item in union – company bargaining, and so benefits – including the above trans – affirming care – may or may *not* be included in the final insurance plan coverage…
Respectfully,
Gregory Morrow – Evanston 4th Ward resident and former union member (National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW Local 2320, AFL-CIO)
Has this Congresswoman completely lost her mind? She is another version of the DeSantis/Disney horror show. She needs to understand the facts before she opens her mouth or performs these obvious and misdirected publicity stunts.