Nasser Musisi is looking to the future after going on strike last week with Starbucks colleagues across the country.
The Newton Corner barista said he and his coworkers are prepared to take additional action if the international coffee chain does not address their concerns about union bargaining practices, problems with marking Pride Month, and making LGBTQIA2+ staff feel included.
“We will go on strike again … we’re not afraid to do it,” he said last week, noting about 20 people, including workers and supporters, took part.
Baristas at the Newton Corner store, located at 259 Centre Street, in June voted to unionize and are awaiting results of the collective bargaining process. Musisi said increased pay and hiring more staff are top concerns. He said he wished that top executives would be more open with staff members about decisions that directly impact them, such as store closings.
“They have a big communication issue,” he said.
Musisi and his fellow baristas, like others across the U.S., also went on strike due to what they said was the company’s lack of effort in marking Pride Month and supporting and welcoming LGBTQIA2+ staff. He said a main reason participated in the strike was to show solidarity with his LGBTQIA2+ coworkers.
However, Starbucks executives denied the claims in several press releases including a June 30 message titled, “Pride isn’t just a month – it’s core to Starbucks mission and our future.” The post featured statements from LGBTQIA2+ staff members praising the company for its support, benefits, and being a “safe haven.” Later in the same press release, the company stated it “joined with the Human Rights Campaign and GLAAD’s ‘Count Us In’ pledge, which affirms leading business’ and employers’ support for LGBTQIA2+ issues in the workplace.”
In a June 26 statement to “partners,” Starbucks executive vice president and president of Starbucks North America Sara Trilling addressed communication issues and inclusion, although she did not specifically mention LGBTQIA2+ workers.
“We have … heard through our partner channels that there is a need for clarity and consistency on current guidelines around visual displays and decorations,” she said. “I want to reiterate that there has been no change to any of our policies as it relates to our inclusive store environments, our company culture, and the benefits we offer our partners.
“We intend to issue clearer centralized guidelines … for in-store visual displays and decorations that will continue to represent inclusivity and our brand. Additionally, we will continue to provide the flexibility needed so that our stores reflect the communities they serve,” she said.
Musisi said he is fighting not only for his own future in the workplace, but also for those who come after him.
“I’m very hopeful,” he said.
