What Do Starbucks And Wal-mart Have In Common?
Both companies have a sordid union-busting past. Both intimidate and terminateworkers who seek to organize and negotiate fairer wages and health benefits. And both have repeatedly violated federal labor laws and spent millionsin legal fees to quash unionization efforts and punish workers.
Stop Starbucks spills the beans aboutStarbucks' atrocious labor practices in the same way Brave New Films tackledretail giant Wal-Mart.
- 1.
Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz once wrote his workers should:
- A.
"feel free to organize a union if they feel their wages are too low and their benefits are insufficient."
- B.
"help themselves to a free Iced Chai Latte on the house if they're thinking about forming a union."
- C.
"believe in their hearts that management trusted them and treated them with respect...If they had faith in me and my motives, they wouldn’t need a union."
Correct Answer
C. "believe in their hearts that management trusted them and treated them with respect...If they had faith in me and my motives, they wouldn’t need a union."Explanation
The given answer suggests that if Starbucks employees have trust in the management and believe that they are treated with respect, they would not feel the need to form a union. This implies that the CEO believes that a positive work environment and fair treatment can address the concerns of low wages and insufficient benefits, and that a union may not be necessary if the employees have faith in the leadership.Rate this question:
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- 2.
In 2008, the National Labor Relations Board found Starbucks guilty of:
- A.
Giving their customers an Iced Caramel Macchiato when they specifically asked for an Iced Caffe Mocha.
- B.
terminating three workers in retaliation for union activities and repeatedly discriminating against union supporters.
- C.
Not letting employees use their bathrooms during work hours
Correct Answer
B. terminating three workers in retaliation for union activities and repeatedly discriminating against union supporters.Explanation
The correct answer is about Starbucks being found guilty of terminating three workers in retaliation for union activities and repeatedly discriminating against union supporters. This means that Starbucks unlawfully fired employees who were involved in union activities and treated union supporters unfairly. This action by Starbucks goes against labor laws and workers' rights.Rate this question:
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- 3.
At a Washington state roasting plant, Starbucks workers filed local, state, and federal charges of:
- A.
Coercion and discrimination.
- B.
Health and safety violations.
- C.
Intimidation and physical assault.
- D.
All of the above.
Correct Answer
D. All of the above.Explanation
The correct answer is "all of the above." The question states that Starbucks workers at a Washington state roasting plant filed charges of coercion and discrimination, health and safety violations, and intimidation and physical assault. This means that the workers filed charges for all of these issues, indicating that all of the options listed are correct.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Starbucks' employees are not guaranteed set hours, and the company's Optimal Scheduling policy forces workers who want to work full-time hours to be available:
- A.
40 hours a week, because those are full-time hours.
- B.
60 hours a week, this is getting ridiculous.
- C.
80.5 hours a week, but that means low-wage earning baristas probably don't have time to take a second job.
Correct Answer
C. 80.5 hours a week, but that means low-wage earning baristas probably don't have time to take a second job.Explanation
Starbucks' Optimal Scheduling policy requires employees who want to work full-time hours to be available for 80.5 hours a week. This means that they are expected to be on call for a significant amount of time, which can be burdensome for low-wage earning baristas. The long hours make it difficult for them to have a work-life balance and potentially restrict their ability to take on a second job to supplement their income.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Because Starbucks' Optimal Work Schedule often precludes employees from working the 240 hours per quarter required to qualify for health coverage, the company insures:
- A.
60% of its 127,000 U.S. workers.
- B.
50% of its 127,000 U.S. workers.
- C.
Less than 42% of its 127,000 U.S. workers (less than Wal-Mart, which insures about 47% of workers).
Correct Answer
C. Less than 42% of its 127,000 U.S. workers (less than Wal-Mart, which insures about 47% of workers).Explanation
The given information states that Starbucks' Optimal Work Schedule often prevents employees from working the required 240 hours per quarter to qualify for health coverage. This implies that a significant portion of Starbucks' employees do not qualify for health coverage. The answer states that less than 42% of its 127,000 U.S. workers are insured, which means that the percentage of employees with health coverage is lower than the percentage of workers insured by Wal-Mart, which is approximately 47%.Rate this question:
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Current Version
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Mar 20, 2022Quiz Edited by
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May 14, 2009Quiz Created by
Stopstarbucks