DGS49
Diamond Member
The Baristas' Red Cup Rebellion
Is Zohran Mamdani leading us to the kind of overregulation that was deemed unconstitutional during the Lochner era?
www.nysun.com
I don't know who or what controls my FaceBook feed, but I'm constantly seeing postings in support of strikes by Starbucks "baristas" in various big-city locations. This strikes me as a perverse situation. The main complaint against Starbucks globally is that while their products are good, the prices are at times breathtakingly high. Coupled with that in the U.S. is the not-too-subtle "request" for tips for the baristas who prepare the tasty beverages (despite the fact that they are NOT "tipped employees" under the Fair Labor Standards Act). So (a) the prices are borderline too high, and (b) "Give us MORE" when you pay for it.
Now we have the baristas themselves demanding generous union contracts that would inevitably raise the prices more, provided they don't result in closure of the individual outlets represented.
To me, one's working life is normally characterized by taking an entry-level crappy job, then trying to improve it from there. Either get raises or promotions from Employer #1, or find a slightly less crappy job someplace else and starting the process again. Ultimately, one reaches a job that is not crappy at all, although the process may continue beyond that (It did for me).
It seems rather unethical to me if you apply for, and take, a crappy job, accept the employer's wages and benefits - the very ones that you applied for - then demand more than what you have already agreed to, claiming that you are "oppressed." Is the word, "Bullshit!" too strong?
With respect to the striking baristas specifically, is the word, "Stupid" too strong? Do they really think that extorting more money from their employer will not result in substantial increases in the price of Starbucks coffee and specialty products? Do they not understand that these outlets are mostly just barely profitable, and a drop-off in business or operating profit could easily result in shutting the "restaurant" down? Would they rather be unemployed at $15/hr than employed at $10+tips?
What am I missing here? If they didn't want to work for Starbucks' wages then why did they apply for and accept the job? If they think they are worth more than Starbucks pays, why not just go someplace else where they are fully appreciated? Or start their own business?
And again, it seems to me like the people who support this "movement" are mainly people who have never had to support themselves in the Real World. If they had, they would see how unethical, stupid, and unreal the campaign is.
