Recently in the UK, the union representing Starbucks employees staged a protest outside of the head office, claiming that Starbucks is paying staff £6.19, only a fraction of the minimum wage of £8.55 in London and £7.45 elsewhere. (The minimum wage is a voluntary rate.) But Starbucks responded by saying that "Pay is just one of a range of benefits its staff receive ..."

The union stated that Starbucks does not empower its employees to exercise their rights to join a trade union and have it recognized. The union members are afraid of being victimized if managers knew they were union members.

Starbucks says that staff were consulted about the new conditions and that the decisions that have been taken were about structuring packages so that they are balancd across pay, benefits, and development.

What are your thoughts? Have you ever heard that pay is "one of the benefits" that you receive as a staff member? Is pay an option?

Do share your thoughts!