Starbucks employees at a unionized Victoria, British Columbia location are expressing outrage after not receiving a country-wide wage boost.
Staff at the Douglas Street store are reportedly “steaming mad” after Starbucks Canada sent a letter informing that they would not be qualified for wage increases, new benefits, and additional training that is being provided at non-unionized stores.
According to a statement from the United Steelworkers union, which represents the location, employees received an email from Senior Vice President Lori Digulla stating that all employees in the country would receive a wage increase this summer, but would be excluding Douglas Street.
“We agree that our labour is worth more and that higher wages will help us live with dignity and create the best moments with our customers,” said the partners at the Douglas Street location.
“Starbucks assured us that they would respect our choice to unionize. We feel that not agreeing with the union to extend the wage increase to our store is not respecting our choice. We understand and agree that our collective bargaining agreement must be respected. That is why there is a clause to allow for bilateral agreements for things such as extending the wage increase to our store.”
Despite Douglas Street Starbucks approaching the company to come to an agreement that would extend these pay raises to their store; staff say the request was rejected.
According to staff, Starbucks Canada is implementing “anti-union tactics” to discourage other stores from potentially unionizing.
