The Starbucks union strike, which began on Friday, has now expanded to nine states, according to the union. On Sunday, workers in Missouri, New Jersey, and New York joined the five-day strike, following locations in Colorado, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, which joined the action on Saturday. Starbucks Workers United, representing over 10,000 workers at more than 525 stores, leads the walkouts.
A spokesperson for Starbucks Workers United reported that 30 stores across the country were completely closed on Sunday. However, the total number of stores affected remains uncertain. The union has indicated that the strike could potentially involve hundreds of stores by Tuesday. However, this represents a small portion of the company’s more than 10,000 company-operated locations and over 200,000 employees.
The strike began on Friday, with baristas walking out in cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, and Seattle, where Starbucks is headquartered and opened its first store.
The Union’s Demands
The strike focuses on securing wage increases for baristas as part of an economic proposal ahead of an end-of-year deadline. The union claims it has been working with Starbucks management since February to establish a framework for its first labor agreement and to address unresolved legal disputes.
Union leaders criticized Starbucks’ recent proposals, which included no immediate wage increases and a guarantee of only a 1.5% raise in future years. This would equate to less than 50 cents an hour for most workers. Union President Lynne Fox stated that Starbucks workers refuse to accept a proposal that does not reflect their value, emphasizing their frustration with what they perceive as a lack of investment in wages and unresolved unfair labor practices.
On the other hand, Starbucks stated last week that it had engaged in more than nine bargaining sessions over 20 days since April, accusing the union of prematurely ending the discussions.
Striking During the Holidays
The five-day strike comes during a critical holiday season when Starbucks typically experiences increased revenue from its popular seasonal beverages, gift cards, and merchandise. Despite the walkouts, Starbucks has maintained that disruptions have been minimal, stating that only a small number of stores have been affected.
In New York, picketing has occurred in Brooklyn and Long Island. In Missouri, workers in St. Louis joined the strike on Sunday. Pennsylvania saw Pittsburgh joining on Saturday and Philadelphia following suit on Sunday, all involving Starbucks workers.
Union Criticism and Starbucks’ Response
The union has accused Starbucks of backtracking on progress made earlier this year, particularly since the appointment of Brian Niccol as CEO in September. On Friday, the union filed a new unfair labor practice charge, alleging the company engaged in bad-faith bargaining over economic issues and refused to negotiate.
In February, Starbucks announced a framework that included resolving litigation related to partner benefits, implementing credit card tipping for union workers, and extending previously announced benefits. However, the union claims that management has reneged on these commitments.
Starbucks has defended its benefits package, stating that its average pay is over $18 an hour, and when combined with benefits, baristas working at least 20 hours a week earn $30 an hour. The company argues that the union’s wage demands are unsustainable, claiming they amount to an immediate 64% increase in hourly wages and a 77% increase over a three-year contract.
The union has denied these figures, asserting that Starbucks has mischaracterized its proposals by combining separate demands. However, the union has declined to provide specific details about the wage increases it seeks.
Looking Ahead
As the strike continues, Starbucks workers, through their union, plan to escalate their efforts through Tuesday. They aim to pressure Starbucks to meet their demands for wage increases and fair labor practices. The outcome of these walkouts could have broader implications for labor relations within the company and the growing movement of unionization among its employees.
