Starbucks strike enters fifth day, expanding to more cities
SEATTLE - Strikes at Starbucks are expected to affect more stores across the U.S.
Over the weekend and this week, approximately 60 Starbucks stores temporarily closed due to a work stoppage organized by Workers United.
The strikes, which began Friday in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Seattle, were launched in response to what Workers United described as a lackluster economic package from Starbucks. The union said the proposal included no immediate wage increases for unionized baristas and only a 1.5% increase in future years.
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Starbucks workers' union votes to authorize strike
Thousands of Starbucks baristas at hundreds of stores nationwide have voted to authorize a strike as the workers' union seeks a contract with the coffee company.
Union leaders said the strikes expanded Saturday to include stores in Denver, Pittsburgh, and Columbus, Ohio. On Tuesday, the strike entered its fifth day. Workers United has indicated it expects to disrupt more stores on Christmas Eve, claiming their strike will impact "hundreds of stores in dozens of cities."
The union has accused Starbucks of failing to honor a commitment made 10 months ago to finalize a labor agreement by the end of this year. Talks between the company and the union have stalled over unresolved issues, including wages, staffing, and schedules.
"Workers United proposals call for an immediate increase in the minimum wage of hourly partners by 64%, and by 77% over the life of a three-year contract. This is not sustainable," Starbucks said in a statement.
Despite the strike, the majority of Starbucks locations remain open and busy with holiday customers. The company, which operates more than 10,000 stores nationwide, said several stores that closed over the weekend have reopened as employees returned to work.
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