Howard the Coward: The Day My Boss Ran Away

[dcsmart]

by Joe Tessone

03/03/09- The time is 8:55 AM, 5 minutes before my alarm clock was supposed to sound I am awoken by a text message which says that Howard Schultz, Starbucks CEO and #1 union buster, is having a press conference at the Oak and Rush Starbucks location. I jump out of bed, get dressed, and haul downtown. By the time I get there, the news cameras are gone. I look around and there he is sitting behind a merchandise wall in an interview with a few reporters. I order an Iced Tall Passion Tea… no need for caffeine, I’m fired up.

My old District Manager is in the cafe greeting customers and she asks me why I’m there. “Just getting a drink,” I respond. She then proceeds to make a call on her cell phone, obviously calling upper management. After I get my beverage, I find a seat, set my bag down, and I approach him.

“Mr . Schultz?,” I say as I reach out to shake his hand and he stands up, “My name is Joe Tessone, I’m a member of the IWW Starbucks Workers Union, I’d love to talk with you for a few minutes before you leave today.”

Taken off guard he says, “I’m in a meeting right now. We can talk when I’m done.” So I sit patiently at the table next to them, sipping on a my tart beverage. About 10 minutes go by and their interview ends.

Again, I approach the man. “Mr. Schultz. I have been a Starbucks partner for over 4 and a 1/2 years. Three years ago, my coworkers and I gave the company a list of things that were of major concern to us and we have, for the past three years, been ignored by the company. We would like you to sit down at the negotiation table with us to discuss our concerns and needs.”

Immediately, he started to walk backwards away from me. “I don’t have time for this. I have a phone conference to be on,” he said nervously as he turned around and scampered to the back door of the the cafe. “Don’t turn your back on us like this, Howard! Baristas are living in poverty!” I exclaimed. He then disappeared out the emergency exit.
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FULL ARTICLE
http://www.iww.org/en/node/4618