The reaction from customers at the end 😨 (background below!)
Big props to workers in Santa Cruz who took action after new management came in. Around the country, the story is the same: baristas are struggling with unrealistic standards, harassment, unnecessary discipline, inadequate scheduling, and low pay. That’s why we’re organizing our union with partners at nearly 700 stores! With our union, we have a real, material way to fight back against unfair treatment, as well as protect ourselves if bad management comes into our stores.
After this video was taken, Mission & Dufour’s manager was moved out of their store. Workers are still continuing to advocate for better treatment from Starbucks corporate, though. We’re calling on all allies to NOT BUY STARBUCKS until the company finalizes fair union contracts with protections that help prevent bad situations with management from happening in the first place! #tobeapartner #starbucksbarista #starbuckscreator
As someone who closely follows labor movements, I’ve witnessed firsthand the challenges Starbucks partners face daily. The letter from Mission & Dufour’s partners highlights how exhausting understaffing and impossible wait-time expectations have become, especially as sales increase. It’s disheartening to hear workers describe being treated like robots while their concerns about harassment and discipline go unheard. Unionizing nearly 700 stores represents a powerful step toward holding corporate management accountable and demanding fair treatment across the board. From what I’ve gathered, the union fights not only for improved wages but also for better scheduling practices and an environment where baristas feel respected and protected. I’ve also seen that consumer awareness plays a huge role. The call for allies to boycott Starbucks until fair contracts are negotiated sends a strong message to the company. It’s a reminder that customer support combined with worker empowerment can create real change. Ultimately, the goal is to end abusive practices and ensure workers have a voice to prevent negative management from undermining their dignity and working conditions. If you’re curious about how unionization can transform the retail and service sectors, Starbucks is a notable example of collective action leading to improvements. Supporting these efforts means recognizing the human cost behind your daily coffee and advocating for fairness in the workplace, which benefits everyone involved.








































































































