Starbucks baristas in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Seattle commenced a five-day strike today, protesting stalled contract negotiations and unresolved labor issues. The action, organized by Workers United—which represents over 10,000 baristas across more than 525 U.S. Starbucks locations—could expand nationwide by Christmas Eve if demands remain unmet.
The union cites unresolved concerns regarding wages, staffing, and scheduling as primary reasons for the strike. Despite initial bargaining sessions earlier this year, significant economic disagreements persist. Starbucks had previously pledged to finalize labor contracts by year’s end, a commitment the union claims has not been honored.
In response, Starbucks expressed readiness to continue negotiations, attributing delays to the union’s premature termination of recent bargaining sessions. The company highlighted that since April, nine negotiation rounds have occurred, resulting in over 30 tentative agreements on various issues. Additionally, Starbucks announced an expansion of paid parental leave, offering up to 18 weeks for birth parents and 12 weeks for non-birth parents, effective March.
This strike is part of a broader wave of labor actions in the service sector, following significant concessions won by workers in the automotive, aerospace, and railway industries. Notably, Amazon employees at seven U.S. locations also initiated strikes during the holiday shopping season, demanding better wages, benefits, and safer working conditions.
As the holiday season progresses, the potential for expanded strikes looms, potentially impacting Starbucks operations nationwide. Both the company and the union face mounting pressure to resolve disputes and reach a mutually beneficial agreement.