The Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/21/business/21sbux.html?ex=1363838400&en=b2507b17877e8bab&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink
As a tenured Barista ( two years working for Starbucks and counting) Ive got to put in my two cents about this. While I try to subsided my total outrage I will outline the absurdity of this case.
To break it down: A dispute between baristas and Shift supervisers over the sharing of tips led to a $105 million loss from the company, and now copy cat cases are taking place in other areas of the country. Shift supervisors and Baristas share tips- its always been this way. Supervisors have no real power, they unlock the doors, count the deposit, send people on breaks, and make sure shifts go smoothly. They work right beside baristas for the most part doing the same task, and getting paid about $1 more. ( So they make about $8 instead of $7 - WOW!) Baristas and shifts bread and butter is the tips. It boost our measley wages up to an extra $2 bucks an hour ( on average)
This seems like a petty thing, caught on a technicality of Ca. Law ( management positions can't take tips)
It wouldn't hurt for SBUX to pay their shifts more, or baristas for that matter so we don't have depend on tips to pay the bill, but for part-time employees to recieve healthcare, discounts, free pound of coffee a week, stock options, and paid vacation - I'll settle for the latter.
It sounds like greediness is getting in the way of a company that gives so much to its employees, and it could potentially mean a huge loss for a company struggling to redefine itself.
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