Starbucks staff broaden strike, shut practically 60 shops in a number of US cities

Starbucks workers expanded their strike to extra cities and closed 59 shops throughout america on Monday, in line with the union, which represents greater than 10,000 baristas.

The strike started Friday in Los Angeles, Chicago and Seattle, however has since unfold to shops nationwide, together with Boston, Dallas, Portland, New York, Denver, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and St. Louis.

“We respect our companions’ proper to take part in authorized strikes and respect the hundreds of companions throughout the nation who proceed to assist one another and ship the Starbucks expertise to our clients,” the corporate mentioned in an announcement. press launch.

Employees are protesting the dearth of progress in contract negotiations with the corporate.

STARBUCKS RESPONDS TO UNION DEMANDS DURING WORKERS’ STRIKE

Baristas picket in entrance of a Starbucks in Burbank, California, December 20, 2024. (Reuters pictures / Reuters)

Starbucks United Workers mentioned the corporate had didn’t honor a dedication made 10 months in the past to achieve a labor settlement this yr. Talks between Starbucks and the union have stalled as a result of unresolved points over wages, staffing and hours.

“Employees United’s proposals name for a direct improve in hourly accomplice minimal wages of 64% and 77% over the lifetime of a three-year contract. This isn’t sustainable,” the corporate mentioned.

Starbucks mentioned disruptions from the strike didn’t have a big affect on operations as solely a handful of shops throughout the nation have been affected.

STARBUCKS UNION WORKERS VOTE TO AUTHORIZE STRIKE

Baristas picket in entrance of a Starbucks in Los Angeles, California, December 23, 2024. (Reuters pictures / Reuters)

The union warned Friday that the strike may attain “a whole bunch of shops” by Christmas Eve. Starbucks operates greater than 11,000 shops and employs roughly 200,000 individuals in america.

The corporate and the union have been negotiating since April. Starbucks mentioned it was dedicated to elevating annual wages by 1.5% or extra for union staff, even when it gave non-union staff a smaller increase in any given yr.

Starbucks baristas earn a mean of $18 an hour in america, however with advantages included – similar to well being care, free faculty tuition and paid household depart – the compensation package averages $30 an hour for baristas who work a minimum of 20 hours per week, the corporate mentioned.

Baristas picket in entrance of a Starbucks in Los Angeles, California, December 23, 2024. (Reuters pictures / Reuters)

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Employees aren’t happy, nevertheless, stating that new Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol, who took workplace in September, may earn greater than $100 million in his first yr.

The union additionally desires the corporate to resolve excellent authorized points, together with the a whole bunch of unfair labor follow allegations that staff have filed with the Nationwide Labor Relations Board.

Reuters contributed to this report.