This site is a static archive. Visit the current IWW website at iww.org ▸
Skip to main content

Starbucks Workers File OSHA Complaint Over Rats and Insects at Stores

44 New York City Starbucks Received a Notice of Violation from Department of Health Over Rat or Insect Presence

New York, NY- Fed up with Starbucks’ failure to deal with rat and insect problems, baristas of the IWW Starbucks Workers Union (www.starbucksunion.org) filed a complaint with OSHA today to address the vermin at three Manhattan Starbucks. The workers are seeking improvements in store sanitation, food storage, and other vermin avoidance measures rather than relying solely on periodic and ineffective exterminator visits. The union is also releasing the "Creepy Crawly Starbucks 44 "- a list of the 44 New York City Starbucks that were issued a Notice of Violation in their last inspection from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene over rodent, cockroach, or flying insect presence.

"We’ve had it with the rats and roaches, " said IWW member and Starbucks barista, Tomer Malchi. "As union members we don’t play around with health and safety. No one should have to work in these conditions. "

The OSHA complaint seeks remedial measures at the Starbucks locations at Union Square East, 9th St. and 2nd Ave, and 57th St. and Lexington Ave. The IWW is willing to sit down with company officials to work out a comprehensive solution to the rat and insect problem.

"Approximately 1 out of 5 New York City Starbucks have been cited by the health department for mice or insect violations," said Daniel Gross, an IWW organizer and former Starbucks barista. "For workers and consumers alike, those are bad odds."

Founded in 2004, the IWW Starbucks Workers Union is an organization of baristas united to improve wages and working conditions at the world’s largest coffee chain.

Read More. . .