The workers’ union representing Starbucks baristas (employees) across the United States has announced a strike in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Seattle in the days leading up to Christmas.
Workers United, which has unionised more than 525 Starbucks locations nationwide, stated in a press release on Thursday that the strike stems from unfair labour practices and stalled negotiations with the company.
The union disclosed that five days of escalating strikes would begin on Friday and continue until 24 December in what it described as “three of the company’s priority markets” during Starbucks’ busiest period of the year.
The walkouts “are expected to spread each day and ultimately reach hundreds of stores from coast to coast by Christmas Eve” unless Starbucks honours a February commitment made to the union.
In February 2024, Workers United and Starbucks had agreed to collaborate on a “foundational framework” to establish a collective bargaining agreement for unionised stores. However, the union contends that this has not materialised.
Responding to the strike announcement, Starbucks accused Workers United of “prematurely ending” a recent bargaining session.
In a statement on Thursday, Starbucks said, “We are focused on enhancing employee experiences by offering an average wage of $18 per hour and benefits including health care, free college tuition, paid family leave, and company stock grants. We are ready to continue negotiations to reach agreements. We need the union to return to the table.”
The union countered by alleging that Starbucks has not fulfilled its pledge to present workers with a serious economic proposal.
“Nobody wants to strike. It’s a last resort, but Starbucks has broken its promise to thousands of baristas and left us with no choice,” said Fatemeh Alhadjaboodi, a five-year Starbucks barista and bargaining delegate, in the release.
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“In a year when Starbucks invested so many millions in top executive talent, it has failed to present the baristas who make its company run with a viable economic proposal. This is just the beginning. We will do whatever it takes to get the company to honour the commitment it made to us in February,” she added.
Arloa Fluhr, a bargaining delegate and Starbucks employee for 18 years, shared her concerns about the impact of the company’s practices.
She said, “The holiday season should be magical at Starbucks, but for too many of us, there’s a darker side to the peppermint mochas and gingerbread lattes.
“I’m a mum of three, including my daughter who is diabetic. I know what it’s like to panic because my hours were slashed and I won’t be able to pay my bills and could lose access to healthcare, including my daughter’s insulin. That’s why we’re steadfast in our demands for Starbucks to invest in baristas like me.”
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