The Gist Barista Michelle Eisen on Face Tattoos, Short Staffs, and Union Shots Fired
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Oct 27, 2025 Michelle Eisen, a barista-turned-organizer from Buffalo, played a pivotal role in unionizing Starbucks workers nationwide. She discusses the rapid growth of the union movement, highlighting challenges like low pay and staffing issues while addressing aggressive anti-union tactics. Eisen also touches on quirky topics, such as the debate over workplace dress codes and how unions can protect workers' rights. Her insights reveal the real impact union membership has on improving conditions for baristas in a complicated labor landscape.
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Company Pushback Has Been Intensely Aggressive
- Starbucks has mounted aggressive anti-union tactics, resulting in hundreds of alleged labor-law violations.
- Those actions have made organizing harder but haven't stopped sustained wins.
Economic Issues Drive Negotiations
- The core bargaining fight now centers on economics: pay, staffing, and scheduling.
- Fixing understaffing ties directly to better customer experience and workers' take-home pay.
Staffing Dropped From Many To Few
- Michelle recalled that staffing used to be normal with six or seven people on shift, but now stores often run with two or three.
- That shift creates long waits and forces workers to do multiple jobs at once.