Photo below – Hollywood’s take on what working at a NYC coffee shop is like.

Pop quiz – what’s the starting wage for a Starbucks barista? $15. It that higher or lower than you guessed? In any case, the union trying to organize those 380,000 apron wearers has been demanding $20 since negotiations began 2 years ago. Yesterday the union did a re-set, and now wants to discuss $17 as a minimum wage floor. (see link below)

I guess whether $15 is a living wage, or a $2 bump to 17 does the trick, depends on how far south you are below the Mason Dixon line, and how far inland from the coast. In Los Angeles, $30 an hour was just declared a poverty wage. NYC Mayor Mamdani feels everyone's pain, and is poised to establish a $30 wage for every worker in his city, regardless of education, police record, or previous job terminations for cause. (see 2nd link below)

$30 still won’t pay for a safe apartment of course. Even if someone worked 2,000 hours/52 weeks ($60,000 annual income, before tips) it’s hard to see how you could make ends meet on that paycheck in Queens or the Bronx.

NYC's small business owners are furious about the $30 plan, of course. They will be forced to compete with lucrative careers like Uber, weed dispensary delivery services, and full time porch pirating to attract reliable help. I reached out to Local 338 RWDSU/UFCW (NY cannabis workers) to ask how many union members they have, and the starting wage. My call hasn't yet been returned.

Back to baristas. Let’s assume a bunch of $15 an hour Starbucks employees become mad as hell, and vow that they’re not going to take this any more. Where would they turn for advice, if their own union is caving on them? Could ChatGPT or Claude help?

There’s only confusion and bad information when AI enters the conversation. A Stanford University analysis (link at bottom) shows that AI systems are “relentlessly” supportive of whomever they chat with. Chatbots will cheerfully agree with almost any plan that person concocts. Which might explain the rash of news stories about life savings disappearing through crypto speculation, cross country journeys to meet imaginary soul mates, and quiet suicides. Chatbots are built to engage users for longer screen time, and in-game purchases - not to actually solve problems. AI is an entertainment product. If we rely on it for major decisions, do we deserve what we get?

Right now, a chatbot is probably affirming the plan of some disgruntled barista in Hickman County Tennessee that it’s a GREAT idea to quit and move to New York. Their earnings will double. They will meet new people. There are loads of concerts and museums. And weed is legal there.

The allure of such a move is probably irresistible, even if Tennessee does legalize marijuana in some future legislative session.

I’m just sayin’ . . .

Starbucks union lowers proposed wage floor to $17 in bid to restart contract talks

As NYC considers a $30 minimum wage, business owners are warning about the consequences

"We're so screwed as a society": Mehdi Hasan reacts after Stanford research concludes AI chatbots agree with people even when they are wrong

artificial intelligence and chatbots

Will Starbucks Baristas nationwide quit en masse, and head to NYC?