Starbucks holiday drinks may be in jeopardy this week as baristas in three key markets — Seattle, Los Angeles, and Chicago — announced plans to strike. The union representing these workers, Starbucks Workers United, cited the coffee chain’s failure to bring viable economic proposals to the bargaining table as the reason for the strike. The union represents 525 union stores and over 10,500 union workers, with Starbucks having over 10,000 company-operated locations.
The strikes began on Friday morning and are set to escalate over five days, potentially spreading to other cities through Christmas Eve if Starbucks does not address the workers’ demands. Starbucks stated that there has been “no significant impact” on its store operations despite a small number of stores not opening as planned.
The union highlighted the disparity between barista wages and CEO compensation, with demands for higher pay increases and better benefits. Starbucks argued that it already offers competitive pay and benefits, but workers are seeking a substantial increase in minimum wage that the company deems unsustainable.
As negotiations continue, the possibility of strikes affecting more Starbucks locations looms. The situation mirrors other labor disputes during the holiday season, including strikes at Amazon delivery facilities. The outcome of these strikes will impact both Starbucks workers and customers hoping to enjoy their favorite holiday drinks.
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