Starbucks Union

It is true the store managers do watch thier entire PNL to receive a bonus and a HUGE component of that is spending a certain amount on labor, but how many partners in one store take up health insurance has NO EFFECT on the store's numbers. In other words, it wouldn't affect a manager's bonus to have none or all of the partners at the store with health benefits.

I always thought it was a strength that we were able to work 240 hours per quarter because that allows greater flexibility. Unlike other companies in the US who deny all health benefits if hours EVER fall below 20, Starbucks puts out this open offer to our partners, their significant others, and dependents. The co-pays are high and that bothers me, but I see the problem as a problem in the entire United States. A union could help this. I'm just not sure of what else it would mean for us...and that's why I'm here. I'm participating in this chat and reading about the possibility of a union to learn more about it.

I must admit however, that I'm intimidated by the response that I may get to this posting. There seems to be an instant hatred of those that are asking questions to know more about the union. It seems to me that explaining the benefits of a union and encouraging me to embrace the idea would be the way to build support for this idea, not cutting down people remarks when they tell a store with a "good manager" who bends over backwards to get everyone possible covered under our health care (All of the manager's I have worked for should be commended for how much they have accomidated my crazy school and home schedule AND STILL helped me keep my benefits).

Could it be that the manager who is "bad" and not helping their employees is the person who is in the wrong job and not upholding the Mission Statement? A manager who would on purpose try to LIMIT health care is not someone that should be working for Starbucks and SHOULD BE REPORTED!!!

As far as unassured hours, I for one enjoy the flexibility that Starbucks has always given me during family obligations, school and whatever else that I have needed. I like having flexible shifts. I have frequently seen partners who have semi-permanent shifts and work pretty much the same hours every week and those who are always all over the place. Is this other's experiences as well, or am I the only one that has seen stable work weeks for partners?

I am very pro-union. I want to make that obvious, but I'm not yet convinced that a union is the right thing for us a Starbucks because in my expience (and it is only ONE person's experience) everytime that I have had a concern, problem or what have you Starbucks has been there with really good answers and a plan to keep me happy. I hope that is also being extended to all of you.

Even though I may not benefit from a union because I don't feel unhappy now, what will my support of the union do to help other partner's who are not finding working at Starbucks as good as I do?

To anyone who can't seem to break the 20 hour barrier:

1. Make sure you tell your manager that an important part of the reason you work at Starbucks is the healthcare.
2. Make sure you have an open availability. The ALS software that every manager uses to make the schedule has your availability loaded into it. The software automaticly gives your 40% of your availability in scheduled hours. Sometimes taking care of these two steps will make all the difference.
I seriously doubt Starbucks would intentionally keep partner hours down to avoid awarding partner benefits. The most I've seen Starbucks do to affect benefits is either raise prices (which they did about 6 years ago and again about 2 years ago). The reason for the price increase was clearly defined in the scoop as being healthcare related.

Also, just a little bit of trivia...EVERYONE gets a benefits packet. You don't "request" it. Not everyone qualifies for the benefits, but EVERYONE gets a packet in the mail. If you haven't gotten one, there's been a problem and you need to tell someone.

I'm going to give you a standing ovation on that one, kim. That was very well said.

I've worked at two stores, and getting enough hours can be difficult for partners. I've talked with more than a few other partners about this matter.

There are three major reasons, as far as I can observe, why partners don't get as many hours as they would like:

1] They may be good people, blah blah, but either they have a suck attitude (e.g., snarling at customers, or disdainful because the work is 'below them') or they have some major deficiency that makes it a hassle to work with them .. for example, not being able to keep a till in order or count it accurately, or incapable of working the bar in any kind of rush (even a mini-rush of four or five drinks.) They could and would get more hours if they changed their behavior. (40%)

2) They don't communicate with the store manager about hours. Every week, when a schedule was posted, I would bring up the question of hours to my manager. I let the manager know I could pick up additional hours if needed, and if my hours decreased, I'd ask "Have I done something that's caused you to want to cut my hours?" I was able to get an average of 28 hours a week -- and was only available mornings from Open to 2pm, six days a week. (40%)

3) The manager is not feeling secure / confident in the stability of the store staffing. If there is high turnover, if a group of long term employees leaves nearly at the same time ... some managers will compensate by hiring a lot of people, and then none of them gets enough hours (except perhaps shifts.) If that's the situation in your store, you can try communicating, but if your staff roster is long and your manager is initially unresponsive, you will have to be persistent .. and make sure the manager knows why it's to his/her advantage to put you on the schedule more often. (20%)

To whoever made the observation about a shift coming in at 4:32am instead of 4:30am, just go to the daybook/logbook, in the back section and find the page for "Punch Communications" for that week. Write your name and the date and your partner number, and in comments, write "Was here at 4:30am. store not open, punch in at 4:30am" You'll get paid from 4:30am.

Keep this in mind .. managers have virtually no incentive to prevent you from getting health benefits. Neither does the district manager, or regional manager, as far as I can tell.

Always leading
the avant-garde of fashion without compromising traditional craftsmanship of luxury leather goods
Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton

240 hours per quarter to qualify for healthcare. Has anyone else seen this happen at their stores
links of london charms|links charms|bracelet charms

I'm convinced that Starbucks is purposefully keeping me under the required 240 hours per quarter to qualify for healthcare. Has anyone else seen this happen at their stores? nike jordan shoes

MKV Converter is an excellent MKV file converter, which can convert MKV files to many common video formats including avi, mpg, flv, divx and so on perfectly and quickly.
MKV to FLV,
MKV to AVI

So long as you want to rip Blu-ray movies to popular videos, this Blu-ray Video Converter can meet all your needs. You can rip and convert Blu-ray videos for storage on computer, watching on iPod, iPhone, Zune, posting on the web, burning DVD movies compatible with home DVD players. You can also use the practical editing functions provided by Blu-ray Video Converter to easily edit Blu-ray videos as you want. M4A Converter Mac, Blu ray Video Converter

Thanks for sharing this.
online bachelors degree programs | online bachelors degree | life experience college degree