"Starbucks" seems to say that it cares so much about customers that it cannot have unions...

[xocetaceans]

This is a short video excerpt. The position seems indefensible. However, has Howard Schultz ever elaborated on this position? Does Starbucks actually pay a living wage? If so, did that wage go up in response and in proportion to current inflation?

[Lithos]

1. The question comes to this

Does Starbucks care about their workers as people, or as a useful automaton to deliver coffee to a customer?

A couple of useful questions to always ask:

- Who does the HR department really work for? How obvious is it?
- Does the company believe there is a specific $$$ which trumps the value or safety of an employee.
- Is the employee in a worse position year over year?
- Does the company side with a rude customer or an ill Sr. Leadership over the employee? Or taking a page from the Me Too movement does the company believe the employee, or does the employee have to go thru hell to make a "case"?
- Is the employee typically motivated by fear or negative emotions?
- Does a company spend more marketing (especially externally) the benefits an employee receives more than the benefits the employee actually receives? Are a lot of the benefits "feel good" exercises which really are marketing exercises that really are tax write-offs for the company?

These are typically signs when a Union might be needed. TBH, good companies who are morally responsible should not need a Union. However, I think many companies lose their way.