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El Ciudadano

Original article: Conflicto en Juan Valdez: sindicato acusa intransigencia y retrocesos en negociación 

On Monday, April 13, the Workers’ Union of Juan Valdez officially approved a legal strike with 90% support, following the failure to reach an agreement with the employer during the collective bargaining process.

The collective negotiations began on February 27, focusing primarily on increasing the stipulations of their initial collective contract, which was signed when the coffee shop operated under the franchise of Falabella. This changed in March of this year when management transitioned to Copec, part of the wealthy Angelini group, which would greatly benefit from the tax cuts proposed by José Kast.

The union, in operation for four years and boasting over 120 members across 32 locations in Chile, seeks to implement incentives for increased workload during December, as well as financial benefits for those in training or leadership roles like baristas, in addition to compensation linked to the resolution of the conflict. 

Another primary demand includes the acknowledgment of excessive workloads. Workers claim that at many locations, a single individual must perform all tasks: managing the cash register, preparing orders, restocking, cleaning, inventory control, and closing shifts.

Consequently, the union requested a bonus for excessive workloads, conditioned on the company’s failure to provide adequate staffing. They are also demanding a bonus for Cyber events, arguing that sales can multiply by up to five times on those days. 

Furthermore, they note that the company rejected their request for a 15,000 pesos bonus per event and proposed eliminating the leader barista bonus, which recognized those training new employees, alongside rejecting the implementation of a bonus for excessive workload during high-demand periods such as December and summer. 

In addition, the company claimed lack of resources to meet their demands despite plans for expansion, offering only an $80,000 bonus for a quick agreement. This proposal was deemed insufficient by the assembly, which decided to maintain their stance against the removal of existing benefits and the lack of willingness to engage in dialogue. 

After the negotiation failed, the strike vote took place on April 13, becoming effective on Wednesday, April 22. 

In an interview with El Ciudadano, the Juan Valdez Union No. 1, led by representatives Lady Bernate and Rina Guevara, stated that the company is ignoring the profitability of the business and has restricted its proposal to maintaining already existing benefits without adjustments for inflation, which they view as a setback.

Moreover, they pointed out that the electronic tipping system’s implementation was excluded—a measure also requested by customers—despite this being included in their previous contract. Additionally, they noted the removal of other clauses linked to increased responsibilities, such as the bonus for excessive workloads.

The union claims that baristas currently must take on multiple extra roles, functioning not only as product preparers but also as cashiers, dishwashers, servers, cleaning staff, warehouse workers, food handlers, delivery dispatchers, and even security personnel.

Regarding the changes following the shift from Falabella to Copec, they reported that alongside an increase in duties, there is now a higher level of supervision in the stores. According to their accounts, both the operations and talent managers have visited stores to directly supervise teams, even recording employees under the pretext of measuring productivity, causing discomfort among some staff.

Additionally, they claim that a contract annex was presented that stipulates acceptance of changes in duties and relocations, which the union interprets as a significant undermining of their working conditions.

«Whenever circumstances warrant, the Company may alter the nature of the services or the site or venue where they must be performed, as well as expand, restrict, or modify the Employee’s functions and, consequently, their attributions and responsibilities, change and rename the position they hold, provided that these are similar tasks and that the new venue is within the same place or city, without this implying a downgrade for the Employee, and, in general, all those functions inherent to the position according to its description or that by law or custom are understood to belong to it,» states the annex that El Ciudadano accessed.

The union has filed complaints regarding unfair practices and anti-union behaviors, including the replacement of striking workers and hindrance of union activities. They allege that leadership has not been provided with credentials, preventing them from visiting members in airport locations for various administrative excuses. Additionally, they indicate that they do not possess copies of their own contracts.

Additionally, they reported that on the 28th inspections began, amid allegations of workplace harassment. Specifically, they point to persistent calls from management to workers who were off-shift to modify their schedules, even offering promotions, which—according to the union—constitutes a form of pressure amidst the strike process.

In conclusion, the union expressed that they remain open to dialogue and to resuming discussions, provided the company presents a proposal that respects the existing contract terms and includes genuine improvements to current bonuses. They also emphasize the need to assess the new proposed clauses and to incorporate a bonus for a quick agreement that meets the expectations of the workers. 

La entrada Juan Valdez Workers’ Union Declares Strike Amidst Stalled Collective Bargaining and Allegations of Unfair Practices se publicó primero en El Ciudadano.