Starbucks CEO Brian Nichol says the company's app needs to be more transparent about pricing.
Starbucks workers The union, which represents more than 10,000 baristas, has expanded its strike to more cities, closing 59 stores across the United States since Monday, according to the union.
The strike began Friday in Los Angeles, Chicago and Seattle, but has since spread to stores across the country, including in Boston, Dallas, Portland, New York City, Denver, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and St. Louis.
“We respect our partners' right to engage in lawful strike action and appreciate the thousands of partners across the country who continue to support each other and deliver the Starbucks experience for their customers,” the company said in a statement.
The workers are protesting the lack of progress in the contract negotiations with this company.
Starbucks' response to union demands in workers' strike
Baristas strike outside a Starbucks in Burbank, California, on December 20, 2024. (Reuters photo / Reuters)
United Starbucks Workers said that the company has not fulfilled the commitment it made 10 months ago to reach a working agreement this year. Negotiations between Starbucks and the union have stalled over unresolved issues over wages, staffing and schedules.
“United Workers' proposals call for immediate minimum wage increases for hourly associates of 64% and 77% over the course of the three-year contract. This is not sustainable,” the company said.
Starbucks said the disruption from the strike did not have a significant impact on operations as only a handful of stores nationwide were affected.
Starbucks union workers voted to authorize a strike
Baristas strike outside a Starbucks in Los Angeles, California, on December 23, 2024. (Reuters photo / Reuters)
The union warned on Friday that the strike could reach “hundreds of stores” by Christmas Eve. Starbucks has more than 11,000 stores and employs about 200,000 workers in the United States.
The company and the union have been negotiating since April. Starbucks said it has pledged to give union workers 1.5 percent or more annual wage increases, even if non-union workers receive smaller increases each year.
Starbucks baristas earn an average of $18 an hour in the US, but with benefits like health care, free college tuition and paid family leave. payment package For baristas who work at least 20 hours a week, it's worth an average of $30 an hour, according to the company.
Baristas strike outside a Starbucks in Los Angeles, California, on December 23, 2024. (Reuters photo / Reuters)
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Still, workers aren't satisfied, noting that new Starbucks chairman and CEO Brian Nicol, who started in September, could earn more than $100 million in his first year.
The union also wants the company to resolve outstanding legal issues, including hundreds of unfair labor charges filed by workers with the National Labor Relations Board.
Reuters contributed to this report.