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On the Clock is Motherboard's reporting on the organized labor movement, gig work, automation, and the future of work.
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After asking Starbucks why they blocked his account, and not receiving a response, Schleuss says Starbucks eventually unblocked his account.“My first job after high school was at @Starbucks (Store #10657) in Arkansas,” Schleuss wrote in response to having his account blocked. “Now I’m a union president and support Starbucks workers and @SBWorkersUnited. So the company PR machine has also blocked me. Unionize your workplace to have a voice! Management is clearly terrified.”
“What we’re seeing is a more concerted and concentrated effort from Starbucks PR to take control of a narrative that they have never had control of,” Skretta, the barista and union organizer who quit last month, told Motherboard. “They’re seeking to silence pro union partners in a way that they haven’t been able to effectively do yet.”Since December, 16 Starbucks stores have voted to unionize with Starbucks Workers United. More than 200 stores have filed for union elections. Starbucks did not respond to a request for comment.