Black Starbucks baristas paid $1.85 less an hour than white colleagues, US union says

Starbucks employees also reported receiving homophobic and transphobic comments by managers

Unite Here analysed Starbucks' wage data over a nine month period (Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Black baristas at 27 US airport Starbucks outlets are paid on average $1.85 an hour less than white colleagues, according to a report by union Unite Here.

The union analysed wage data in the the 27 stores run by HMSHost over a 9-month period from February to October 2019.

Starbucks claim that their median pay ratio for people of colour is "100 per cent" across HMSHost's airport locations according to the report, but employees say they are struggling.

"I have to use payday loans for food. Sometimes I go hungry," Jay Kelly, an HMSHost Starbucks barista at Orlando International Airport told the union.

"I don't eat if there is not enough food, to make sure the kids in my house get fed."

The report also found that the HMSHost-run Starbucks outlets remained open in 2018 while other branches closed for racial bias training.

In a statement, HMSHost denied any form of discrimination in their workplace and said they investigate any issues raised.

"We take pride in having a diverse workforce. We are inclusive; it is one of the sources of our strength, and so are our people." Said an HMSHost spokesperson.

"They are our greatest asset and we are proud that they have chosen to be part of our team."

Unite Here's report also claimed that LGBTQ identifying colleagues reported receiving offensive comments from managers.

"Managers have made transphobic and homophobic comments. It makes me feel in a way that I'm going back into the closet, which is very unnerving to me," said Gabriel Ocasio Mejias, a Starbucks barista at Orlando International Airport.

Unite Here claim they were fired 18 February 2020 after speaking out on mistreatment and by trying to organise a union.

An HMSHost spokesperson said: "UNITE HERE and HMSHost are currently in contract negotiations in ten airports and the union is trying to unionise HMSHost associates in other locations".

Starbucks released an advertising campaign in February 2020 showing a trans teenager being misgendered until they go to Starbucks, where the staff writes their preferred name of James on the cup.