Starbucks baristas are set to begin a five-day strike starting Friday across Los Angeles, Chicago, and Seattle, with plans to expand the labor action coast-to-coast through Christmas Eve.
The strike, organized by Starbucks Workers United, comes after months of contract negotiations between the union and the coffee chain reached an impasse over economic proposals. Workers claim the company has failed to offer adequate wage increases and address hundreds of pending labor dispute cases.
"They have not been offering us anywhere close to a living wage," said Shay Mannik, a Denver barista who joined the expanding strike after two years with the company.
The union, representing over 10,000 baristas, reports that 98% of its members voted to authorize the strike action. Additional workers from Columbus, Denver, and Pittsburgh have already joined the initial three-city protest.
Starbucks maintains it offers competitive compensation, with average hourly pay exceeding $18, along with benefits including healthcare and tuition assistance. A company spokesperson called the union's proposed wage increases - 64% immediately and 77% over three years - "not sustainable."
The strike affects a portion of Starbucks' North American operations, where about 500 stores (4.5%) are unionized out of over 18,000 total locations. Some striking workers report receiving community support, with regular customers providing supplies and food to picketers.
While the union claims Starbucks has backtracked on promises to reach contract agreements by year-end, the company states the union "prematurely ended" recent negotiations despite ongoing progress. Both sides appear at odds over returning to the bargaining table.
The labor action coincides with a recent announcement of expanded parental leave benefits for US store employees, set to take effect in March 2024.