Latest updated December 20, 2024 by

Starbucks Workers Strike In 3 Cities: No Contract, No Coffee

Unionized Starbucks workers in major cities across the United States have launched a multi-day strike as workers are demanding better wages and working conditions. The strike began on Friday in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Seattle, with plans to escalate and…

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Unionized Starbucks workers in major cities across the United States have launched a multi-day strike as workers are demanding better wages and working conditions. The strike began on Friday in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Seattle, with plans to escalate and involve more locations in the coming days.

Locations in cities located in California, Washington, and Illinois are participating in the strike which is supposed to last until at least Christmas Eve.

Baristas at Starbucks in Burbank traded their work aprons for picket signs Friday, joining workers at other unionized Starbucks stores in a five-day strike to demand collective bargaining agreements. 

Employees were outside in the morning, holding signs that read “No Contract, No Coffee.” 

The union, Starbucks Workers United, has organized workers at over 500 locations in the US.

Per a post on X written by the group, “Since February, Starbucks has repeatedly pledged publicly that they intended to reach contracts by the end of the year — but they’ve yet to present workers with a serious economic proposal. This week, less than two weeks before their end-of-year deadline, Starbucks proposed no immediate wage increase for union baristas, and a guarantee of only 1.5% wage increases in future years.

  • Collective Bargaining Agreements: The union, Starbucks Workers United, is seeking to secure collective bargaining agreements with the company. They argue that Starbucks has failed to honor commitments made in February to reach labor agreements and resolve outstanding unfair labor practices.
  • Wage Increases: The union is demanding significant wage increases for its members. Starbucks recently proposed an economic package with no new wage increases for unionized baristas, which the union considers unacceptable.
  • Improved Working Conditions: Workers are also seeking improvements in working conditions, including better staffing levels and increased safety measures.

Starbucks has stated that it has held numerous bargaining sessions with the union and has reached agreements with some locations. The company maintains that it offers competitive pay and benefits, including free college tuition and paid family leave.

The strike is expected to disrupt operations at numerous Starbucks locations, particularly in the affected cities. The timing of the strike, during the busy holiday season, could further impact the company’s revenue and customer satisfaction.

\Starbucks Workers United has been successful in organizing thousands of workers across the country, and this strike could have significant implications for the future of labor relations at Starbucks and other major corporations.

Starbucks is no stranger to workers putting on a strike – In June 2023, workers threatened to walk when the company allegedly refused to allow locations decorate with Pride decor.

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