Baristas from Starbucks stores in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Seattle plan to begin strikes Friday due to stalled contract negotiations. The Starbucks union barista strike, spearheaded by Starbucks Workers United, represents more than 11,000 baristas nationwide and aims to push for better wages and working conditions.
Workers plan to expand strikes daily, potentially impacting hundreds of locations on Christmas Eve if an agreement remains unmet. The union accused Starbucks of failing to honor its pledges to negotiate terms for unionized workers at over 535 US stores.
Lynne Fox, president of Workers United, emphasized that union baristas refuse to accept proposals that undervalue their contributions. Fatemeh Alhadjaboodi, a union barista, criticized Starbucks for prioritizing executive compensation over fair treatment for workers.
Fatemeh further stated that CEO Brian Niccol could earn over $100 million in his first year while proposing minimum wage increases for employees. Starbucks countered these claims, highlighting its compensation package.
The company stated baristas working at least 20 hours weekly earn about $30 per hour, including benefits like free tuition and paid leave. Despite previous negotiations, Starbucks called on the union to return to the table for further discussions.
Meanwhile, union members accuse the company of underestimating workers by using algorithms to understaffed stores and create tougher work conditions. The Starbucks union barista strike isn’t the coffee giant’s first strike. Workers previously protested and walked out in November 2023 during Red Cup Day and in June 2023 over Pride Month display bans.
Additionally, a Bloomberg study found that 8% of customers experienced 15-30 minute waits in 2023, focusing on operational challenges. The union warned that the strikes, if unresolved, could culminate in widespread disruptions during the holiday season, urging Starbucks to offer baristas the compensation and conditions they deserve.
