The five-day strike against Starbucks has expanded to nine states, with union workers in Missouri, New Jersey, and New York joining the strike on Sunday. This follows locations in Colorado, Ohio, and Pennsylvania participating in the strike on Saturday. The Starbucks Workers United union represents over 10,000 workers at more than 525 stores.
As of Sunday, approximately 30 stores nationwide have been closed due to the strike, with the potential for hundreds more to be affected by Tuesday. This strike, now in its third day, began with walkouts in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Seattle, where Starbucks is headquartered.
The strike is centered around demands for wage increases for baristas, with the union seeking better economic proposals before the end of the year. Starbucks Workers United had been in negotiations with Starbucks management since February to reach their first labor agreement and address legal complaints.
Starbucks has stated that the union prematurely ended bargaining sessions, despite multiple sessions held since April. The company's proposal included no immediate wage increases and a guarantee of only 1.5% in future years, which the union deemed insufficient.
During the busy holiday season, the strike poses some challenges for Starbucks, known for its seasonal beverages and products. While the impact on store operations has been minimal, picketing has been reported in various locations, including Brooklyn, Long Island, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia.
Starbucks emphasized its benefits package, stating that the average pay exceeds $18 per hour, with a total value of $30 per hour when factoring in benefits for baristas working at least 20 hours weekly. However, the union claims that Starbucks has regressed on earlier progress since September, citing issues with the new CEO.
Both sides remain at odds over wage demands, with Starbucks stating that the union's proposals are unsustainable due to significant wage increases. The union refutes these claims, stating that Starbucks mischaracterizes their demands and has filed an unfair labor practice charge against the company.
