Starbucks CEO’s message to workers; “if you have faith in me you don’t need a union” [View All]

[babylonsister]

Starbucks CEO’s message to workers; “if you have faith in me you don’t need a union”
Add a Comment
February 17, 6:54 AM
by Ron Moore


Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks repeated a common retort in opposition to workers organizing to improve their lives: "I was convinced that under my leadership, employees would come to realize that I would listen to their concerns," Schultz wrote of that time in his book "Pour Your Heart Into It." "If they had faith in me and my motives, they wouldn't need a union."

In a report by Andrea James in the Seattle Post Intelligencer Starbucks is still fighting vigorously to bust unions.

A 1999 attempt to unionize Starbucks roasting-plant workers in Kent led to a two-year struggle for a contract. "They were doing union busting," said John Thompson, current president of International Union of Operating Engineers local 286. "All of the HR department that was hiring, their questions were, 'Have you ever belonged to a union, has any of your family members belonged to a union, or has any of your friends belonged to a union?' If you said yes to you or your family, at any time, you were never even considered for employment."

That bargaining unit dissolved. Thompson said Starbucks was the "worst employer we ever had. They basically did anything and everything in their power to keep the unions out.

more...

http://www.examiner.com/x-2071-DC-Special-Interests-Examiner~y2009m2d17-Starbucks-CEOs-message-to-workers-if-you-have-faith-in-me-you-dont-need-a-union