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from Blue Bottle Independent Union
In Blue Bottle (i.e. Nestlé’s) most recent attempt to union-bust, they intend to cut the hours of baristas across the state by closing the Prudential Center location for renovations. These renovations are unnecessary and intended to increase revenue for Blue Bottle. The company told us that they intend to rebuild the entire bar “adjusting the location of the expresso machine, pour over, and other stations,” and install a turbo chef oven to increase the culinary menu at the location. During our most recent bargaining session with the company, Blue Bottle (i.e. Nestlé) pushed to negotiate over the terms of this renovation, rather than discuss the issues facing their workers who are struggling to make ends meet. When we tried to negotiate over the effects of the Prudential renovation, we demanded that the company: Guarantee minimum hours for employees transferred to a different location for the duration of the renovation. Pay a $7.59 tip differential so that workers transferred to a different location would not dilute the tip pools of other cafes. This number was based on the average amount of tips for Prudential workers from September – November. Provide a commuter benefit to workers who transfer to work at a different location for the duration of the renovation period. Somehow, Blue Bottle (i.e. Nestlé) has enough money to spend on an unnecessary renovation, but when presented with these demands, said that they didn’t want to pay “the additional cost[s]” of guaranteeing hours, a $7.59 tip differential, or a commuter benefit. When we told Blue Bottle (i.e. Nestlé) that not guaranteeing hours or a $7.59 tip differential for transferred employees would result in a pay cut for baristas across the state during the slowest time of year, Blue Bottle told us they just “didn’t see it that way”! This is union-busting. Blue Bottle's (i.e. Nestlé's) decision to renovate the Prudential location during the slowest time of the year and refusing to guarantee hours means that baristas across the state will be scheduled for fewer hours and have shrunken tip pools. This is a de facto pay cut being implemented just as baristas have to begin thinking about heating bills! If you don't think that its right for baristas to suffer a pay cut because of Blue Bottle's (i.e. Nestlé's) decision to renovate, then tell them! This email will be sent to Blue Bottle's Director of Café Operations, Anne Conroy. As the person responsible for Café Operations, Anne Conroy has the power to guarantee hours or a tip differential for workers transferring to a new location.
Deb Nam-Krane
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