Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Starbucks Union Head Michelle Eisen, a 15-year Starbucks barista explains how the first unionized store in Buffalo lit a national fuse—now more than 650 stores strong. She describes the frustration that fueled it: pandemic-era neglect, short staffing, inconsistent scheduling, and pay that barely rose above New York’s minimum wage even after a decade on the job.
Eisen contrasts executive privilege—like the new CEO’s $96 million earnings in his first four months—with median barista pay under $20,000 and points to recent union wins such as severance pay for workers blindsided by sudden store closures. She also details contentious disputes: a lawsuit over dress-code reimbursements, Starbucks’ unilateral ban on tattoos and piercings for employees already hired under looser standards, and “secret menu” chaos fueled by TikTok customization culture.
Mike Pesca presses her on where brand standards end and workers’ rights begin, and whether union dues make sense for employees skeptical of economic gains. Eisen stands firm: protections, fair bargaining, and dignity at work matter more than corporate image or short-term pay math—and if Starbucks won’t bargain, 12,000 workers are ready to strike.
This interview is from a Full episode of The Gist Podcast, Hosted by Mike Pesca.
🎧Listen Here👉open.spotify.com/episode/5VbDSlz3YP8yrlvoQew6Gn?si=96Ho8v5tThK85MGLXSGzBA
_______________________
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_______________________
CREDITS:
Creator & Host:
Mike Pesca
Producer:
Corey Wara
TIMESTAMPS:
00:05 Why are Starbucks workers unionizing?
00:41 Which Starbucks store unionized first?
00:55 Why did the Buffalo store go first?
01:57 Who is Michelle Eisen?
02:06 How much does a longtime Starbucks barista make?
03:16 Do small raises matter if rent keeps going up?
03:34 How did one store spark a nationwide union movement?
04:23 How many Starbucks stores are unionized now?
04:39 Why haven’t most Starbucks stores unionized?
05:48 Is it harder to unionize in right-to-work states?
06:33 What do Starbucks workers actually want?
07:29 Why are Starbucks stores so short-staffed now?
08:23 Why does hourly pay mean little without enough hours?
09:25 What’s the Starbucks dress code dispute really about?
11:35 Should workers be allowed facial tattoos and piercings?
14:41 What’s the difference between effects bargaining and contract bargaining?
15:23 What happened with the Starbucks social media lawsuit?
16:36 What did unionized stores gain during recent closures?
18:24 How much did the Starbucks CEO get paid in four months?
19:25 Do union dues really pay off for workers?
21:57 What does “just cause” mean—and why are workers fighting for it?
23:50 What’s the real rule for Starbucks refills?
25:18 What’s going on with TikTok’s “secret menu” drinks?
27:07 Will Starbucks workers actually go on strike?
28:03 Why can’t employees wear Starbucks-branded clothes to work?
28:55 Can Starbucks ever feel like it did back in 2012?
Starbucks Union Head Michelle Eisen, a 15-year Starbucks barista explains how the first unionized store in Buffalo lit a national fuse—now more than 650 stores strong. She describes the frustration that fueled it: pandemic-era neglect, short staffing, inconsistent scheduling, and pay that barely rose above New York’s minimum wage even after a decade on the job.
Eisen contrasts executive privilege—like the new CEO’s $96 million earnings in his first four months—with median barista pay under $20,000 and points to recent union wins such as severance pay for workers blindsided by sudden store closures. She also details contentious disputes: a lawsuit over dress-code reimbursements, Starbucks’ unilateral ban on tattoos and piercings for employees already hired under looser standards, and “secret menu” chaos fueled by TikTok customization culture.
Mike Pesca presses her on where brand standards end and workers’ rights begin, and whether union dues make sense for employees skeptical of economic gains. Eisen stands firm: protections, fair bargaining, and dignity at work matter more than corporate image or short-term pay math—and if Starbucks won’t bargain, 12,000 workers are ready to strike.
This interview is from a Full episode of The Gist Podcast, Hosted by Mike Pesca.
🎧Listen Here👉open.spotify.com/episode/5VbDSlz3YP8yrlvoQew6Gn?si=96Ho8v5tThK85MGLXSGzBA
_______________________
Follow us:
INSTAGRAM:
/ pescagist
TWITTER:
https://x.com/PescaGist
https://x.com/pescami
Visit Mike's website:
mikepesca.com
Join the "Pesca Profundities" membership and get access to the Gist List Newsletter:
mikepesca.substack.com
Get a premium edition of the podcast and help support Mike's work:
subscribe.mikepesca.com
_______________________
CREDITS:
Creator & Host:
Mike Pesca
Producer:
Corey Wara
TIMESTAMPS:
00:05 Why are Starbucks workers unionizing?
00:41 Which Starbucks store unionized first?
00:55 Why did the Buffalo store go first?
01:57 Who is Michelle Eisen?
02:06 How much does a longtime Starbucks barista make?
03:16 Do small raises matter if rent keeps going up?
03:34 How did one store spark a nationwide union movement?
04:23 How many Starbucks stores are unionized now?
04:39 Why haven’t most Starbucks stores unionized?
05:48 Is it harder to unionize in right-to-work states?
06:33 What do Starbucks workers actually want?
07:29 Why are Starbucks stores so short-staffed now?
08:23 Why does hourly pay mean little without enough hours?
09:25 What’s the Starbucks dress code dispute really about?
11:35 Should workers be allowed facial tattoos and piercings?
14:41 What’s the difference between effects bargaining and contract bargaining?
15:23 What happened with the Starbucks social media lawsuit?
16:36 What did unionized stores gain during recent closures?
18:24 How much did the Starbucks CEO get paid in four months?
19:25 Do union dues really pay off for workers?
21:57 What does “just cause” mean—and why are workers fighting for it?
23:50 What’s the real rule for Starbucks refills?
25:18 What’s going on with TikTok’s “secret menu” drinks?
27:07 Will Starbucks workers actually go on strike?
28:03 Why can’t employees wear Starbucks-branded clothes to work?
28:55 Can Starbucks ever feel like it did back in 2012?
