I am a stock holder as well as a consumer. If this doesn't change, I will sell my shares and advise others I know who own stock, to do the same. - Harriet H., Vienna, VA
I would really prefer to go to a local place; however we don't have one in our area. It's Joe Muggs or Starbuck's for me. I can't say I'm surprised that yet another huge corporation is taking advantage of their workers. My former employer (Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama) also blocks unionization. I think I'll make more of my own lattes at home from now on. Thanks for bringing this to our attention. - Becky B., AL
I buy my coffee there every morning, and while the workers are always polite, I can't say they look particularly happy about being there. - Howard N., Philadelphia, PA
I used to work at Starbucks as a barista but found it impossible to continue because they wouldn't set any hours for me. My pay was too low, and I didn't have time for a second job because I had to make myself available for Starbucks' crazy scheduling. So I had to quit. - Anna F., New York, NY
I get my cappuccinos there frequently, but it wouldn't surprise me to learn Starbucks treats their workers poorly. The company's too big for it's own good. - John S., Boston, MA
Starbucks are everywhere, but I tend to avoid them in favor of local shops whenever possible, for a whole list of reasons, from its burned coffee, to its aggressive rolling up of this market and its homogenizing effect on cities. Now I have a new reason to avoid Starbucks. After over extending itself and having to contract, I don't think Starbucks or any company can afford to alienate potential customers in any way. - Laura L., Ft. Worth, TX
I have seen these Union Busting tactics before. When companys show profits such as Starbucks and continue to keep wages at poverty levels they should be ashamed. I hope you get five million signatures. Best of Luck! - Hebl S., Smithville, MO
So far I am proud to say; I have never used any products from Starbuck! Everybody should follow that example! - Lars L., Nashville, TN
We have a Starbucks in our little college town. The lower the employee is on the senority list, it seems the worse they are treated. I have watched too many of the college kids who work there get chastized in front of customers, so I quit going in. And now I find out they won't let the workers Unionize? I will NEVER patronize them again. And as Susan, from West Hollywood said, " That's a Promise". - Deb P., Cheney, WA
I have avoided Starbucks for years because I do not support exploitive employers. I look for companies that have a heart, especially in this economy. - Ronald W., San Diego, CA
My daughter was treated like a piece of crap by her boss, and when she complained, she was abruptly fired. No reason, no cause! - Wayne S., Sparks, NV
The forcing of workers to work without a union destroys rights that were put into the law and only succeeds increasing the company's profits. This is a mode of action that resulted in the recent financial meltdown and should be made illegal by Congress. - Leonard & Ellen Z., New York, NY
I love Starbucks Coffee and so does my husband. The workers are very pleasent and I asked one of the employees one day if they were union and I think I scared him to death about losing his job! I felt sorry for him, Starbucks is a huge Company and how dare them be so hateful. Shame on you Starbucks and I will spread the news about your evil doings! - BaBette G., Indian Head, IN
I am a regular customer of Starbucks. They make great coffee and they have terrific customer service for the most part. I believe giving the employees of Starbucks the opportunity to be part of a union that represents the rights of all workers should be granted. - Will S., Hialeah, FL
I will NEVER buy from Starbucks again, until you allow employees to have union rights. - Will S., Hialeah, FL
In Chapel Hill NC, Starbucks pushed out a local rent-paying establishment, undercut all the local coffee houses, and closed them out of business. After doing that, they immediately raised their prices, weakened their coffee, supplied poor pastries, began using paper and plastic instead of porcelain, and began closing at 5pm. Taken together, all this effectively closed down evening local artistic and academic exchange over coffee in this college town. - Charley R., Chapel Hill, NC
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I would really hate to have to stop buying Starbucks coffee, even though I can't always afford to, but if they will not allow workers to unionize, I will do just that. And that's a promise. - Susan I., West Hollywood, CA
When I was in college, I worked at Starbucks. In the training, after they told us all about the pay and how wonderful the company was, the trainer said, "The only thing we ask is that you not try to form a union." I didn't mind working for the company, the pay was acceptable (if you were a college student looking to earn some extra cash), but my manager was (notoriously) miserable. The turnover rate was very high. When my manager started scheduling me for 30+ hour weeks (and every weekend), I submitted a written request for her to change my hours. When new schedules came out and she still had me scheduled for 30+ hours, I got upset and complained. I was all by myself complaining, no one would stand up for me, and from that point on my manager made it clear that she didn't want me to work there anymore. That's the main reason why I think unions are so important, independently of pay or benefits or anything: because at companies like Starbucks, due to the strict hierarchy, there's no real way to settle differences between employees and the manager, it's your word versus theirs (and you're on your own). - Bethany Q., Washington D.C.
Never go in, because the coffee tastes like it is burned. -Fern S., Sherman Oaks, CA.
I am a frequent visitor at Starbucks. I have the gold card and I and my husband both carry Starbucks gift cards. But I will not patronize them any longer if they refuse to let their workers make their own decisions about unions. My father was a member of the labor union in Anchorage Alaska and was able to support us because the unions ensured he was treated fairly and received a decent wage. Why would a company that charges on average $3.00 for a cup of java object to the workers having a seat at the table? - Peggy C., Charlotte, NC
A friend of mine worked at Starbucks for about seven months but quit because they refused to pay her overtime. - Samantha M., Miami, FL
I generally avoid Starbucks and support a local coffee shop. But if I knew Starbucks workers were fully and fairly treated, you'd find me getting coffee at Starbucks. - N.B., SLC, UT
I got my coffee there this morning, but won't ever again. Overpriced, bitter, and now anti-union too? Who needs them! - Ryan G., Los Angeles, CA
I've been boycotting Starbucks for years. They just squash all of the competitors. - James W., Anacortes, WA
I won a Starbucks $5.00 gift card from a survey company for participating. I went to Starbucks a got a regular coffee. It cost nearly $4.00. I haven't been back since. - Worker X., Marion, OH
I love Starbucks but cannot continue to patronize it (good bye Mocha Frapuccino with an extra shot) until employees have the right to organize. - Melinda C., Sausalito, CA
I never hesitated about paying the high prices at Starbucks because I do love a good cup coffee, they treat me right and I had always believed and had been told by others that they treat their employees right. Now I'm not so sure. I'm a union employee and any corporation that denies any employee that right is on my s*&t list! - Weldon L, Rougemont, NC
I don't shop at Walmart or at Starbucks for this very reason and I encourage all my associates to not shop there either for this very reason. - Richard D., Pittsfield, MA
I am so SAD to hear Starbucks is intimidating workers who want to unionize. The only coffee I really enjoy is Starbucks GoldCoast brand. Now I need to follow my conscience and stop purchasing those large whole bean bags. Darn it!!! Please follow YOUR conscience so I may once again purchase my favorite GoldCoast. - Linda C., Farmington, NM
I go to Starbuck about 3 times a week, buy their beans at the store and have money put on my Starbucks card each month. I always thought they were good to their employees. Now I'm reconsidering my loyalty to Starbucks. - Zakkary Z., Oakland, CA
I frequent the local coffee shops in my town. I try to give my business to small business owners who are making an honest living. I do not like large corporations that take advantage of the working person in order to make their billions and not offer health benefits or decent wages to their employees. My father and my husband were union carpenters. Unions protect their workers and allow them to make a decent wage. - Leslie P., Douglas City, CA
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