[mensetmanusman]

Is being a barista work in this mindset?

Or is the idea that we have barista‘s because that is profitable, but it is not profitable to improve infrastructure?

[CleaveIt2Beaver]

It is both work and a job, in this example. But it's an occupied job, where the poster is discussing communal job creation through joint bargaining power rather than a corporate monolith. Your second statement is right on the money.