Starbucks strike begins today in LA, Chicago, Seattle: What we know – Times of India

Starbucks workers across the US have united to launch a five-day strike, starting Friday, to demand better progress in contract negotiations. The strikes, which began in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Seattle, are expected to spread to hundreds of stores by Christmas Eve.
The workers union, which represents more than 10,000 baristas at 535 Starbucks locations, accused the company of failing to honour a commitment made in February to finalise a labour agreement by the end of this year, as per news agency Reuters. The union is also pushing to resolve hundreds of legal disputes, including accusations of unfair labour practices filed with the National Labour Relations Board.
Union president Lynne Fox criticised Starbucks’ recent wage proposal, which offered no immediate pay rises for unionised baristas and a 1.5 per cent increase in future years.
“Union baristas know their value and won’t accept a proposal that doesn’t treat them as true partners,” Fox said.
Meanwhile, Starbucks has defended its position, stating that it offers baristas pay and benefits worth $30 per hour for those working 20 hours a week or more. The company said it is ready to resume negotiations and blamed the union for ending the latest bargaining session prematurely.
“We are ready to continue negotiations to reach agreements. We need the union to return to the table,” Starbucks said in a statement.
“Workers United proposals call for an immediate increase in the minimum wage of hourly partners by 64 per cent, and by 77 per cent over the life of a three-year year contract. This is not sustainable,” the coffeehouse chain added.
The strikes come at a critical time for Starbucks, which operates nearly 10,000 stores nationwide amid a busy holiday season. The coffeehouse has seen similar disruptions in the past, including a strike on Red Cup Day last year, when workers protested over allegations of anti-union actions.
Starbucks’ new CEO, Brian Niccol, who took over in September, faces mounting pressure as workers demand higher wages and better working conditions. Some union representatives argue that the company’s recent investments in executive salaries overshadow the needs of baristas. Niccol is reportedly set to earn over $100 million in his first year.
Negotiations between the company and the union began in April, following a pledge to improve relations. However, little progress has been made, with both sides now at an impasse. Starbucks claims it has reached over 30 agreements on various topics with the union, but major economic issues remain unresolved.
“In a year when Starbucks invested so many millions in top executive talent, it has failed to present the baristas who make its company run with a viable economic proposal,” said Fatemeh Alhadjaboodi, a Starbucks barista from Texas and bargaining delegate stated, quoted by news agency AP.
The union has called for public support at picket lines as the strikes continue to gain momentum, with more stores likely to join in the coming days.