Starbucks is in hot water.
Sam Amato is a former Starbucks employee who worked for the company for 13 years. That's like a lifetime in the service industry years!
But the 33-year-old was sadly let go at the beginning of August over a month-old violation. This injustice wasn’t forgotten. It inspired a union walkout that’s led to a viral video.
Back in September 2021, a former worker named Sarah (@0utspoken on the TikTok app) went viral for tearfully breaking down during a shift over the stress of the job.
In addition to this, the drive-thru was broken and they were incredibly short-staffed. She probably would've been okay had she received adequate training, but she hadn't.
“I’m at like a 15,” Sarah said. “I can’t do this. I am so done, and I have been here for two-and-a-half [expletive] hours.”
Then, two weeks after “standing up” to a co-worker who was allegedly “harassing and bullying” her, Sarah explained that she was fired on July 4.
“That’s Starbucks for you," one wrote. “It's a horrible place to work,” another added.
Some were less supportive, with some asking what kind of busy conditions she expected from a job like Starbucks.
This time, it involves Sam Amato, a 33-year-old former barista who spent 13 years working with the company. He was suddenly fired on August 5 for a month-old violation that was connected to closing the store early.
"It’s how I get my paycheck. It’s how I get my insurance. It’s how I make a living. “To have that pulled from under you…it was a devastating moment.”
All six employees working in the store with him at the time walked out to show their support.
They were followed by many more Starbucks Workers United union members and staff from other locations in the area.
“When your entire store walks out after management unjustly fires your co-worker for being a union leader," the caption of the video read.
But even Amato has admitted that he was "very active" in July with Starbucks Workers United, a union that came to be after a historic vote last December.
In addition to Sam, Starbucks has fired nine other union leaders in the Buffalo area. The union is prepared to fight, as they have filed an unfair labor practice charge on Amato’s behalf.
H/T: Fortune
