The ongoing five-day strike by Starbucks Workers United has gained momentum, spreading to nine states as union members demand wage increases and better working conditions.
Strike Spreads Across the U.S.
Union workers in Missouri, New Jersey, and New York joined the strike on Sunday, adding to locations in Colorado, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, which walked out on Saturday. The strike began Friday with baristas in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Seattle—Starbucks’ hometown.
So far, 30 Starbucks stores nationwide have closed completely, according to a Starbucks Workers United spokesperson. The union anticipates that the strike could impact hundreds of stores by Tuesday, though this represents a fraction of Starbucks’ more than 10,000 U.S. locations.
Union Demands and the Wage Debate
At the heart of the strike is a push for higher wages. The union is seeking meaningful wage increases for baristas, citing a framework established with Starbucks management in February for a labor agreement and resolution of legal disputes.
According to the union, Starbucks proposed no immediate wage increases in December and offered only a 1.5% annual raise in future years, which amounts to less than 50 cents an hour for most workers.
Union president Lynne Fox criticized Starbucks’ approach:
“After all Starbucks has said about how they value partners, we refuse to accept zero immediate investment in baristas’ wages. Union baristas know their value, and they’re not going to accept a proposal that doesn’t treat them as true partners.”
Starbucks Pushes Back
In a statement, Starbucks countered that it has been actively engaged in negotiations, holding over nine sessions across 20 days since April. The company claims the union abruptly ended bargaining sessions last week.
Starbucks also highlighted its benefits package, which includes an average pay of $18 per hour and total compensation worth $30 per hour for baristas working at least 20 hours weekly.
However, the company stated that the union’s wage demands are unsustainable, claiming they amount to a 64% immediate increase in the minimum wage and a 77% increase over three years. The union has denied these figures, calling Starbucks’ claims a misrepresentation.
Impact During Holiday Season
The timing of the strike coincides with Starbucks’ busiest season, as the chain benefits from sales of holiday beverages, gift cards, and drinkware products. Despite this, Starbucks maintains that disruptions have been minimal:
“The few disruptions we have experienced this week have had no significant impact on store operations.”
Locations Feeling the Strike’s Effects
- New York: Picketing has been reported in Brooklyn and Long Island.
- Missouri: St. Louis joined the strike on Sunday.
- Pennsylvania: Philadelphia and Pittsburgh walked out over the weekend.
Read more: Amazon Workers Strike at Key Delivery Hubs Ahead of Christmas: What You Need to Know
What’s Next?
The union alleges that progress made earlier in the year has stalled under CEO Brian Niccol, who took the helm in September. On Friday, the union filed a new unfair labor practice charge, accusing Starbucks of refusing to bargain in good faith over economic issues.
For now, the strike continues through Christmas Eve, raising questions about whether Starbucks and the union can bridge their differences during one of the year’s most critical retail periods.
Stay updated as this story develops, and learn how this labor movement could reshape Starbucks’ future.
