The strike by Starbucks baristas has now spread across nine states, as reported by the Starbucks Workers United union. This industrial action, which began on Friday, aims to secure wage increases for baristas and initially involved Starbucks locations in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Seattle. By Saturday, workers in Colorado, Ohio, and Pennsylvania had joined the strike, followed by their counterparts in Missouri, New Jersey, and New York on Sunday.
Starbucks Workers United, representing over 10,000 workers across more than 525 stores, anticipates that the strike will extend to hundreds more locations by Tuesday. The union, on its social media platform, previously announced a five-day escalating strike, citing what it describes as a rollback by Starbucks on previously agreed-upon negotiations. This coast-to-coast strike aims to pressure the company into serious negotiations for improved pay, benefits, working conditions, and increased safety measures.
The union had been working towards an agreement with Starbucks but claims progress stalled after Brian Niccol assumed the role of CEO in September. As a result, the union recently filed an unfair labor practice charge against Starbucks, accusing the company of refusing to negotiate in good faith on economic matters.
Conversely, Starbucks argued that negotiations had prematurely ended after more than nine sessions and over 20 days of bargaining since April. The company stated that it could not sustain the union's wage demands, which include a 64% immediate increase in the minimum hourly wage for partners and a 77% increase over a three-year contract period.
Currently, Starbucks pays above $18 per hour on average, with total compensation, including benefits, equating to $30 per hour for baristas working at least 20 hours weekly.
In a recent statement, Lynne Fox, president of Workers United, criticized Starbucks for failing to make immediate investments in baristas' wages and for not resolving numerous pending unfair labor practices. She affirmed the union's resolve to secure a contract that recognizes baristas as genuine partners.
The timing of this strike could significantly impact Starbucks during the bustling holiday season. The company reported weak fourth-quarter earnings, with revenues falling 3.2% short of expectations.
CEO Niccol, since his recent appointment, has outlined his priorities, emphasizing a return to the company's foundational strengths in the U.S. market before expanding internationally. However, his use of the corporate jet for commuting from California to Starbucks' Seattle headquarters has been met with criticism from many employees.
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