Some members of the Starbucks workers’ union, representing over 10,000 baristas, went on a five-day strike in multiple US cities, citing unresolved issues over wages, staffing, and schedules. The strike, which began on Friday, closed Starbucks cafes in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Seattle, and will expand to Columbus, Ohio, Denver, and Pittsburgh through Saturday. The strike is part of a series of labor actions in the service industry following significant gains made by workers in the manufacturing sector.
The Workers United union, which represents employees at 525 Starbucks stores across the US, said that the strike will escalate daily and could reach “hundreds of stores” nationwide by Christmas Eve. However, Starbucks said that only about 10 out of 10,000 company-operated stores did not open on Friday, and there was no significant impact on store operations.
Union members in Chicago, Denver, and other cities participated in the strike, with some reporting walking off the job over “unfair labor practices” and low wages. The average wage for Starbucks baristas is around $21 per hour, but many say it is not enough to support a living wage in large cities. The union is seeking a 64% increase in the minimum wage and a 77% increase over the life of a three-year contract.
Negotiations between the company and the union began in April, but the two sides have not reached an agreement. The union claims that Starbucks has not presented a serious economic proposal, while the company says it has made significant progress and is ready to continue negotiations. The strike comes as the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is investigating allegations that Starbucks has engaged in unfair labor practices, including firing union supporters and closing stores during labor campaigns.
The strike is seen as a major challenge for Starbucks, which is already facing declining sales and struggling to win back customers. Emarketer analyst Rachel Wolff said that the company “can ill afford any negative publicity” from the strike, which could impact sales during the busy holiday season.