Starbucks workers strike across US as negotiation stalls

• Published On: 22 December 2024 at 15:48

Starbucks employees, represented by the union, staged walkouts in several U.S. cities on Friday to protest unresolved wage, staffing, and scheduling issues.

According to Reuters, the union represents more than 10,000 baristas nationwide.

The union announced that the five-day strike, which began Friday and shut down Starbucks locations in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Seattle, will be extended to Columbus, Denver, and Pittsburgh on Saturday.

The strike is part of a larger wave of labour action across the service industries, following significant victories for workers in the automotive, aerospace, and rail sectors.

Workers United, which represents employees at 525 Starbucks locations, has announced plans to escalate walkouts, potentially affecting "hundreds of stores" nationwide by Christmas Eve.

"It's estimated that 10 out of 10,000 company-operated stores did not open today," Starbucks said, adding that store operations were unaffected on Friday.

Approximately 20 people formed a picket line at a Starbucks on Chicago's north side, braving snow and wind. Strikers cheered as cars honked in support, and some confused customers attempted to enter the closed store.

Shep Searl, a union member, noted that public reaction was largely positive.

According to Searl, the strike involved all unionised workers at the Edgewater Starbucks in Chicago.

Workers claim they have been subjected to unfair labour practices, such as unnecessary write-ups, "captive-audience" meetings, and firings.

Searl, who earns around $21 per hour, said, "That would have been a great wage in 2013," highlighting concerns about stagnant wages.