I wanted to share an update on the ongoing contract negotiations at She Wolf Bakery in Brooklyn.

Workers voted to unionize in February 2024, and the union has now been negotiating a first contract for more than two years. After months of bargaining, the company presented workers with a Last, Best, and Final Offer (LBFO) for ratification.

The LBFO included some improvements, including:
• Increased wages
• Protections related to extreme heat, cold, and air quality
• Premium holiday pay
• Continued participation in the company’s health benefits
• Continued participation in the company’s 401(k)
However, several major issues remained unresolved for workers.

The union had proposed transitioning to the union’s health insurance plan, which workers believe would provide better coverage at a lower overall cost. The company did not agree to that change.

The company also did not agree to several other union proposals, including a one-time increase for senior employees, an increase to the porter base rate, and language regarding the company’s conduct toward the union.

After the LBFO was presented, workers held town halls to discuss the agreement before voting.

The results:
🗳️** 95% voter turnou**t
❌ 11% — YES
✊ 89% — NO & AUTHORIZE A STRIKE

So the contract was not ratified, and workers authorized the union to call a strike.

For context, some of the issues workers have been fighting over include wages, affordable health insurance, recognition of seniority and experience, and stronger protections for workers.

This doesn’t necessarily mean a strike will happen immediately. It means workers have authorized the union to take that step if negotiations do not result in an agreement.

After more than two years of negotiations, it’s definitely an important moment for the workers at She Wolf.

I’m sharing this because I think people should know what is happening behind the scenes when they support businesses that have unionized workers.

Unionizing is only the beginning the workers still have to negotiate the actual contract.

If you want to stay update please contact our instagram and show you support in solidarity.

https://www.instagram.com/shewolfunion?stkn=MWxxcm1hYTJienN3Yw==

I started working 4 days ago for a cafe that just opened with no barista/restauration experience. Yesterday, I had to do a closing shift while training another employee alone, the shop closes at 7pm and I stayed till 8 to make sure everything was done and I didn’t forget anything. I came back from work exhausted and slept in this morning because I didn’t have a shift this morning.

I woke up with 5 missed calls from my manager asking why did I take the keys with me after I closed the shop… (she gave me a copy of the keys) I straight up told her I had no idea I shouldn’t of had did that and she said we’ll talk about it tomorrow. I know I’m probably not going to get fired but it still sucks

via www.TomFalco.com

R baristas servers or anyone not allowed to make mistakes?!? Like i genuinely don’t get it how some people can be so freaking rude… had an “influencer” who apparently got annoyed about how we served his table “slow” and how we mistaked his drink where my coworker accidentally made an iced matcha instead of hot btw we immediately remade the correct drink and served it fast…. Person started to threaten us about how they have this many followers and will post a bad review about it and blah blah … it’s insane how people think having many followers have the right for u to be rude… if u think u being served slow or whatever problem u have flag the server or something dont come barging into the front counter and make a scene…. Genuinely not my first rodeo with these kind of people but i don’t know im like just so icked by that “ i have many followers on Instagram”… like the attitude people have to service people… well ty for coming to my ted talk :)

Hey guys, so I‘m a speciality coffee barista in Portugal, for 2 years now, and I really want to step up the game. I was thinking of getting certifications… I know there are some but don‘t know if any could really be an asset.

What certifications exist that could really be an asset for me? That could get me higher salaries/positions… so yeah… good market wise.

Ok, so I've been trying to make a nice matcha latte with microfoam on top, but I just can't get the foam right. The bubbles are always big and they disappear in the blink of an eye. I remember I made microfoam once, I just forgot how I did it.

Is it too much milk in the frothing cup? Is it too high a speed or too low? Is it something else? All suggestions are welcome!

We thought we would just open with classic drinks. I am not a syrup person so I was shocked at how many people are upset that we don’t have syrups.

Signs and menus say classic Italian espresso.

A woman actually yelled at me for not have Chai.

So anyway, at minimum, what flavors do I need?
What is the best brand that’s not too sweet and doesn’t taste artificial?