Starbucks workers across the United States are gearing up for a five-day strike set to commence on Friday. The strike is a response to the perceived lack of progress in contract negotiations between the workers and the company.
The strikes are initially planned to kick off in major cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Seattle, with the potential to expand to hundreds of stores nationwide by Christmas Eve. The union representing Starbucks workers, Starbucks Workers United, has been organizing employees at 535 company-owned U.S. stores since 2021.
Starbucks Workers United has expressed disappointment in Starbucks for allegedly failing to fulfill a commitment made in February to finalize a labor agreement this year. The union is also pushing for the resolution of various legal issues, including numerous unfair labor practice charges filed by workers with the National Labor Relations Board.
The union highlighted the stark contrast between the potential earnings of Starbucks' new Chairman and CEO, Brian Niccol, who could make over $100 million in his first year, and the company's proposed economic package for unionized baristas. The proposed package reportedly includes no immediate wage increases for current baristas and only a 1.5% increase in the coming years.
Starbucks Workers United emphasized the importance of fair treatment for baristas, stating that they deserve to be recognized as true partners in the company's success. Starbucks, on the other hand, expressed readiness to continue negotiations and urged the union to return to the bargaining table.
Starbucks defended its current compensation and benefits package, which includes perks like free college tuition and paid family leave, amounting to an equivalent of $30 per hour for baristas working at least 20 hours weekly.
This impending strike is not the first disruption during Starbucks' holiday season. In November 2023, thousands of workers at over 200 stores staged a walkout on Red Cup Day, a significant event for the company. Additionally, in June 2023, hundreds of workers protested after the union claimed that Starbucks had prohibited Pride displays at certain locations.
While earlier in the year, both the union and the company had expressed optimism about reaching an agreement, they now find themselves at an impasse. The union representatives have criticized Starbucks for allegedly failing to present a viable economic proposal to the baristas who play a crucial role in the company's operations.
