The strike at Starbucks comes as Amazon workers are also striking at multiple delivery hubs across U.S. over the e-commerce giant’s refusal to engage in contract negotiations with their union.

Groundxero | Dec. 20, 2024

Starbucks workers launched five days of strikes across cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Seattle in the United States on Friday, accusing the coffee giant of reneging on its commitment to engage in productive bargaining talks with the union that represents more than 11,000 baristas at over 500 Starbucks stores in the U.S.

The walkouts by workers will start in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Seattle on Friday before expanding “coast to coast” amid the holiday rush, Starbucks Workers United (SBWU) said in a statement announcing the strikes. The SBWU is pushing for a 64% immediate increase in the minimum wage for hourly workers and a 77% increase over the next three years. SBWU said, “Starbucks proposed no immediate wage increase for union baristas, and a guarantee of only 1.5% wage increases in future years.”  The union has rejected the offer.

The latest strike comes after months of negotiations, since April, but the company’s offers have yet to meet the union’s demands. SBWU said the strikes are a response to Starbucks “backtracking on our promised path forward.” Earlier this week, unionized Starbucks workers voted overwhelmingly in support of authorizing a strike to protest the company’s alleged unfair labor practices and to set the stage for a strong contract.

Silvia Baldwin, a Philadelphia barista and bargaining delegate, said “Right now, I’m making $16.50 an hour. Meanwhile, [new Starbucks CEO] Brian Niccol’s compensation package is worth $57,000 an hour. The company just announced I’m only getting a 2.5% raise next year, $0.40 an hour, which is hardly anything. It’s one Starbucks drink per week. Starbucks needs to invest in the baristas who make Starbucks run.” SBWU said that walkouts would escalate daily, and could reach “hundreds of stores” nationwide by Christmas Eve.

Hundreds of complaints have been filed with the U.S. National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), accusing Starbucks of unlawful labor practices such as firing union supporters and closing stores during labor campaigns. Last month, the NLRB said that Starbucks broke the law by telling workers at its flagship Seattle cafe that they would lose benefits if they joined a union.

The strike at Starbucks comes as Amazon workers are also striking at multiple delivery hubs across U.S. over the e-commerce giant’s refusal to engage in contract negotiations with their union.

Feature Image : Starbucks workers rally and march in Seattle.

Image courtesy: https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Starbucks_unions