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[quote=Anonymous]I would not cross an actual picket line to go to Starbucks, or patronize a Starbucks with actively striking workers. But I don't think there are many Starbucks where that is happening. There was a strike last Thursday and only some locations participated. I was unaware of it until it was over and I went to Starbucks that day (it was the day they give away free reusable cups with purchase of a holiday drink but my barista was nice and gave me one with my regular drink -- I wanted it because my kid likes using them at home).

I am ambivalent about the Starbucks unionizing effort even though I support unions for other workers. The Starbucks workforce is not united in their demands for a union. Some people want it and some don't. Starbucks has successfully satisfied many if not most workers with decent pay and some good benefits, so I think for many of the organizers, it's just a matter of principle that they want to organize the workforce. I'm neutral on that -- if the workers want to organize, go for it, but if they can't get all the workers to participate, then you can't force it.

This is very different than boycotting Amazon for their employment practices in their warehouses, which I do, because they are mistreating workers and lowering standards across the industry as a major employer who doesn't treat employers very well. Starbucks employees are treated fine, and paid a fair wage. There are also lots of options for people who might work at Starbucks (there are lots of coffee shops these ways, both other chains and independent shops) and if the company was terrible, they'd struggle to get employees. Yet they don't.

Most other coffee shops are not unionized.[/quote]

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