Working at Starbucks has shown me firsthand how challenging it can be for baristas to make ends meet despite working hard every day. One of the biggest issues is the massive pay gap between the CEO and the workers on the floor, which feels unfair when many baristas rely on government assistance programs like SNAP and Medicaid because their hours are cut or inconsistent. Scheduling is unpredictable, which adds financial stress since regular hours are key for qualifying for healthcare benefits. It often feels like the company prioritizes profits over the well-being of its partners, even though baristas are the face of Starbucks to customers. Unionizing feels like a crucial step toward fairness. Through collective bargaining, baristas can push for better pay, reliable schedules, and improved healthcare coverage. The fact that Starbucks could finalize a fair union contract in less than one day’s sales is eye-opening—it shows that the financial burden on the company is minimal compared to the benefits for workers. As a customer, I’ve personally decided to support Starbucks workers by spreading awareness about their fight against union-busting. It’s important to listen to the employees who know exactly what needs to change to improve both our work environment and the customer experience. Supporting unions isn’t just good for the workers; it ultimately leads to a better service for everyone.