walk out and get another crappy job? Id rather just stay and make the one I have better.

Most "baristas" are actually quite talentless with a very low self-image. They have a job that is executable by any person with the ability to take orders. this is not to say that there is no danger in the position, but always remeber that a person makes their own decisision to become a "barista" rather than challenging themselves to become skilled at something beautiful or useful.

Hey, what do you know, what one poster said about cops also works for baristas!

Rather arrogant of you, Anon Poster

All the Starbucks workers I'm come across are talented and friendly. I'm sure there are a few exceptions, but...

From age 16 to 18 I started life, after several years as a 'grease monkey' in my Dad's auto repair shop, I went to fast food, four different 'Big Boy' joint in Western PA in the late 1950s and 1960.. Started at .95 and hour and worked up to 1.35. Crap wages, but I needed it to build a nest egg for state college.

But the wage wasn't even the most important. I learned a lot more there that helped me later in life.

I learned to work as part of a team. That was probably critical workwise.

I learned to work with black and whites together, and how blacks were mistreated. Back then, they weren't allowed to cook or serve, only mop floors as 'porters'. I made friends with them, went to jazz clubs after work, which later propelled me into the civil rights struggle and freedom marches in the South.

I learned how waitresses and carhops suffered sexual harassment all around. Never gave a waitress a bad tip since.

I met my first gay people, made friends and got to understand things about them, and how society mistreated them. Also my first Jews and Greeks.

I learned that my managers, despite their perks, were just higher paid workers that took shit from the bigwigs who descended on us every three months or so.

I learned how to cook, and how to cook and clean up after yourself at the same time. I learned how to make strawberry pies and how to make cole slaw for 50 people in 5 minutes or less.

I learned how to make perfect pancakes, so I'd get the sunday morning shift and Saturday night off.

So walk in someones mocassins for a while before calling them 'talentless' with 'low self-esteem.'

So, yeah, it's not the best job or conditions to work in. I support the IWW's project and hope they find some creative solutions.

But no need to trash the workers, unless you what to be on the side of the bosses.