This is oversimplified. When you see the corporate profits you could easily shift some G&A spends (exec salaries) to the COGS (front line baristas). It’s a matter of will and negotiation. Unions get more pay and benefits collectively and companies are forced to rethink spreading the wealth. That is what should happen. Baristas are probably worth $35/hr to the company, but the execs just don’t want to give up their big pay packages.