close starbucks across canada with pay

These are scary times, while it is important not to panic it is also important to take the proper precautions in order to successfully diminish the possible COVID-19 cases in Winnipeg. This letter isn’t an act of rebellion against Starbucks but simply expressing our right to feel safe at work, being able to give our customers the Starbucks experience by keeping them safe and also an act of solidarity for all the people in self isolation and risking their jobs to keep our communities safe.

What we’d like to see is a total shut down of the store and complete pay for the hours originally promised.

We must take extra precautions to keep our partners and customers safe. This is will allow customers to see that Starbucks is taking this seriously and will come back with respect for the company once this pandemic passes. The Starbucks experience is to keep our customers happy, feeling safe and making Starbucks feel like their third place. However, right now it is crucial for partners and customers to stay at home and lessen the possible spread of COVID-19. It saddens us to say this but if Starbucks stays open people will not take this pandemic seriously and put others at risk. As it just takes one infected person to cause an outbreak.
This is an act of solidarity for the working class and all those who are self isolating. This should allow for some partners to self isolate and still being able to live, pay rent and other debts. We can’t put our partners, our friends at needless risk.
While other stores are being closed and getting paid with catastrophic pay, we are putting ourselves and the community at risk by being open. That is why we are asking this, it unfair to the community we are putting at risk, especially because most of our customers are over 60 and we are putting them at risk by simply being in contact with them.

Another issue partners have brought up is how working during a pandemic is taking a toll on their mental health. Partners are afraid to come to work, scared they will get sick themselves or spread the virus as a carrier. Everyone’s anxiety is heightened as our brains switch onto survival mode. These are unprecedented times and we have no idea what to expect in the future.

Regarding the e-mail Starbucks sent to customers filled with blatant lies and misinformation:
“Many of our customers have also asked how we will care for our partners. We have shared with our partners that they will never have to choose between working or taking care of themselves. For details on the comprehensive support and resources we are providing please visit here”
Here is the information we got from our manager on our storewide facebook group:
Partner is sick for more than 7 days have to apply for leave of absence.
Partner who is sick can't be paid vacation. Only if partner is on vacation.
Partners who traveled outside Canada on 29th Feb or after should self quarantine for 14days but will be paid catastrophic pay.
Partner who is ill should visit a doctor and present a doctor a doctor's note upon return to work.
Partners who exhibit flu like system should not come to work but see a doctor or visit test COVID-19 sights.

Manitoban doctors have asked for work places to stop demanding doctors notes because it is dangerous to unnecessarily visit doctors who could be hosting people with the virus. Because another person who really needs to visit the doctor should be having that appointment instead of someone being forced to get a doctors note. That isn’t support, that is detailing how we have to work even if we do not feel safe or if we feel sick. If a partner is sick, they can’t get paid? So they must go to work and possibly infect others. That isn’t a safety precaution. That e-mail was strictly to save face with our customers but do nothing for the partners who are on the front lines of dealing with the virus.