They fear that if they do more Baristas will see the sense in building a stronger base of strength to bargain against Starbucks. In effect we are having to bargain for all Starbucks Baristas, union and non-union alike, on the strength of our 12 units. It a tough struggle but one we feel is worth fighting, but we need your help. Our income is far from 'enlightened' or 'liberal'. Salaried managers have a comprehensive sick leave plan.
Hourly employees have no paid sick leave at all.
When we get sick, even for a day, we are scrambling to to buy groceries and make the month's rent. Most of us are economically compelled to work when we are sick. We need earned sick leave proportional to hours worked - the more hours worked, the more sick leave earned. Through 1999, on average, a new Starbucks store opened every 16 hours of every day of every week to bring the world wide total to about 2,200 stores. Virtually all of Starbucks' phenomenal grow has been financed out of phenomenal revenues.