Friends Say Starbucks Worker Died Because He Was Afraid Of Taking Off Work For Treatment
It’s been less than a week since Popeyes’ chicken sandwich took over Twitter and won the #ChickenSandwich with Chick-fil-A. But a recent thread documenting the supposes of a grieving friend after the untimely death of a Starbucks worker is casting a new light on the conversation around fast-food chains and the employees who keep them running.
Food writer Allison Robicelli shared the thread on Saturday about her friend James Farmer who died at 22 due to a kidney failure. A GoFundMe put up for his funeral expenses on Aug. 12 said he died on Aug. 11. According to Robicelli, Farmer would skip his dialysis treatment as he was an hourly wage worker and couldn’t afford to take off work hours.
The enormity of these things really doesn’t make you until you consider a brilliant, funny, caring and very much loved 22 year old man lying in a his casket.
— Allison Robicelli (@ robicellis) August 24, 2019
This was James. The people who serve you coffee and sandwiches, the people who barely get by because a living wage” isn’t in the best interest of stockholders”, the people who so many believe don’t deserve to be paid reasonably: they are people. They are loved. They deserve better. pic.twitter.com/ nxrzd4J 7mg
— Allison Robicelli (@ robicellis) August 24, 2019
” The people who serve you coffee and sandwiches, the people who barely get by because a living wage’ isn’t in the best interest of stockholders ,’ the people who so many believe don’t deserve to be paid reasonably: they are people ,” Robicelli wrote.
Robicelli explained that Farmer had health insurance but was afraid of taking off work and losing hourly pay.
” James was worried about money ,” she wrote.” He believed if he took a day off for dialysis, he’d continue to have less hours on every weekly schedule .”
James was worried about money. He are concerned that if he took time off he’d be replaced, because that’s a legitimate fear all hourly employees live with. He thought if “hes taking” a day off for dialysis, he’d continue to have less hours on every weekly schedule.
— Allison Robicelli (@ robicellis) August 25, 2019
Another friend of Farmer’s told the Daily Dot, who asked to remain anonymous to comply with her employer’s policies about speaking to the media, added that” he was burdened with heavy health insurance copays and costs due to his conditions .”
Robicelli also said Farmer died about two weeks ago, and his family had to raise funds during this time for his funeral.” This is the reality of those who work hourly jobs on Baltimore’s east side ,” she wrote.
” He was a valued member of our team, impacted every member of our staff and all customers he came in contact with ,” read the specific characteristics on the GoFundMe page set up by Smith and Charnette Burris.” He passionately stood up for LGBTQIA rights, manner, and good music. He was a dedicated worker and friend. This loss is immeasurable and we want to support his family in whatever route we can .”
The fundraiser also created more than $7,700, exceeding an objective of $ 7,500. There were a total of 186 gifts, and a majority of the donations were constructed in the past two days.
” Thank you for every donation, share, and kind word ,” Smith wrote in an update on Sunday.” James’ family, friends, and coworkers are humbled by the generosity of strangers .”
Robicelli isn’t the first to use the # ChickenSandwich debate to scrutinize the layers of violations that are involved in the $3.99 sandwich. A recent Eater interview examined the Popeyes hype on Twitter, applying questions on everything from ICE raids at poultry farms to Popeyes wages rendering its own employees homeless.
” There’s real, active harm being done by fast-food companies on every level of the food system from individual to global ,” Evan Hanczor, chef of Egg Restaurant that boasts its treatment of its employees and farmers, told Eater.
” It doesn’t give me much confidence about the ingredient quality ,” Hanczor said of the price of Popeyes’ sandwich.” The price doesn’t seem to suggest that they could possibly be sourcing chicken you could consider remotely humanely created .”
On Twitter, Robicelli’s thread resonated with many who shared their concern and support for Farmer, while some called for accessible dialysis care.
This is a tragedy, and I widen my believes to you, his family and those who loved him/ will miss him. What could have been done/ happened to prevent this loss? What is it ??? Let’s send it up the flag pole and insure who salutes.
— Steven Mincheff (@ SMincheff) August 24, 2019
This is why we need to get more ppl on home dialysis! In-center takes away your oppty to choose your own schedule around run,& home D maintains you healthier. I’m truly sorry for loss of yr friend& mourn w/ you. Tragic loss. Seen it too often.
— Wannabe Race Traitor (@ KitsapRiver) August 25, 2019
Agree but this case was more about the style our system treats workers. He had insurance but as an hourly employee he couldn’t take the time( many hours/ day, 3 days/ week ). Dialysis centres could do more to provide care for employees like this young man.
— True Blue Patriot (@ ketagoesglobal) August 25, 2019
It’s sad to think that Star Bu cks, who claims they are compassionate, would put their workers in such a difficult position as to choose taking time off for legit life or death medical reasons and losing critical pay and having enough for a roof over their head& just enough food
— Miss Melody (@ Risque_Melody) August 25, 2019
According to Glassdoor, a Starbucks barista makes an hourly wage between$ 9 and $10 in Baltimore, Maryland. The minimum wage in Baltimore is $10.
It’s unclear if Starbucks has any benefits for its workers undergoing extensive treatments such as dialysis and what kind of leave it warrants to its workers for such issues. The Daily Dot has reached out to Starbucks for comments and will update if the company responds.
Friends Say Starbucks Worker Died Because He Was Afraid Of Taking Off Work For Treatment
Friends Say Starbucks Worker Died Because He Was Afraid Of Taking Off Work For Treatment
Friends Say Starbucks Worker Died Because He Was Afraid Of Taking Off Work For Treatment
Friends Say Starbucks Worker Died Because He Was Afraid Of Taking Off Work For Treatment
Friends Say Starbucks Worker Died Because He Was Afraid Of Taking Off Work For Treatment