Dirty Apron Day #2

Good morning... What can I get for you?

Well, it's Dirty Apron Day again and the lattes are half-priced. Not too many folks know that when the Vancouver market had its issues with the unions (9 stores were unionized) I spent some time up there working as the 2nd manager to ensure the stores were safe and secure should the union members just up and strike.

I worked in 7 of the 9 stores... Now I was not able to "work" while I was there. I couldn't replace any labor just observe and guide and provide management presence. Of course the partner s were happy to let me clean the mop sink, the drains, merchandise and keep general tidiness.

On one of my shifts at the Commercial Street store, a partner came in with a modified Starbucks logo t-shirt. He had used fabric paint to make the logo say "F**k Off". I have to admit, he did a great job at matching the paint and expertly shaped the "B" into an "F"... but it wasn't gonna fly. I had to send him home for a new shirt. Now I could have just been an outsider ass and sent him home myself, but I felt I needed to respect the role of the union rep. So I asked said union rep to do the deed. I figured I needed to appeal to his sense of reason (he was a 10+ partner at the time).

Of course it all really didn't matter because not 10 minutes later a drug addict OD'd in the bathroom and was unconscious... and needed assistance. One of the partners kept the man alive until an ambulance got there. We closed the store closed shortly after.

Now those of you that say Starbucks partners can be rude at times... I hope this story tempers that a bit.

I'd like to send a little shout out to the folks at store #351... grab me a pizza sample would ya?

Have a great day... We'll see you tomorrow for your usual.

Pat Nerr...