Starbucks Baristas Stage Nationwide Walkout Ahead of Christmas
Starbucks workers across the United States continued a nationwide strike on Monday, expanding their actions on the busy days leading up to Christmas. More than 60 stores were forced to temporarily close, with walkouts planned at over 300 stores on tuesday, including locations in Los Angeles. This marks the fourth day of walkouts, with the strike starting on Friday, impacting a Starbucks on Alameda Avenue and shelton Street in Burbank, California. Monday’s actions signaled a significant escalation in the labor dispute, disrupting operations at a critical time for the coffee giant. “The holiday season shoudl be magical at Starbucks, but for too many of us, there’s a darker side to the peppermint mochas and gingerbread lattes,” said Arloa Fluhr, a bargaining delegate, in a statement. “I’m a mom of three, including my daughter who is diabetic. I know what it’s like to panic because my hours were slashed and I won’t be able to pay my bills and could lose access to healthcare, including my daughter’s insulin.” The union,Starbucks workers United,accuses Starbucks of failing to honor previous commitments made regarding collective bargaining and the resolution of ongoing legal disputes. the union alleges that the company proposed an economic package with no new wage increases for unionized baristas and a future increase guarantee of only 1.5%, amounting to less than 50 cents an hour. “nobody wants to strike. It’s a last resort, but Starbucks has broken its promise to thousands of baristas and left us with no choice,” Fatemeh Alhadjaboodi, a bargaining delegate, said in a statement. “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.” Starbucks maintains that they are committed to reaching an agreement and are willing to return to the bargaining table. The company claims that the union ended the negotiations, stating, “It is disappointing they didn’t return to the table given the progress we’ve made to date. As April we’ve held more than nine bargaining sessions over 20 days. We’ve reached over thirty (30) meaningful agreements on hundreds of topics Workers United delegates told us were vital to them, including many economic issues.” Starbucks highlighted their offerings, stating that they provide an average wage of over $18 an hour and what they call best-in-class benefits, which include healthcare, free college tuition, paid family leave, and stock grants. Meanwhile, baristas at a Starbucks on Sunset Boulevard and La brea Avenue in Los Angeles filed a petition on Friday with the National Labor Relations Board for a union election. If accomplished, this location would join over 520 Starbucks locations across the country where baristas are already unionized.## Archyde News: Starbucks Baristas Walk Out Ahead of Christmas
**(Intro Music)**
**Host:**Welcome back to Archyde News, I’m your host, [Host Name]. Today we’re diving into teh brewing storm across the country as Starbucks baristas staged a nationwide walkout just days before christmas.With us today is [Alex Reed Name], a barista who participated in the walkout in Boston. Welcome to the show, [Alex Reed Name].
**Alex Reed:** Thanks for having me.
**Host:** so, [Alex Reed Name], can you tell our listeners what prompted this nationwide walkout?
**Alex Reed:** Absolutely.We’ve been trying to negotiate a fair contract with Starbucks for quite some time now. This walkout is a last resort to bring attention to several key issues. We’re facing issues like stagnant wages, inconsistent scheduling that makes it unachievable to have a stable life, and a lack of respect for our voices as employees. [[1](https://www.wgbh.org/news/local/2024-12-23/boston-starbucks-workers-join-national-walkout-over-labor-complaints)]
**Host:** And these issues are affecting baristas across the country?
**Alex Reed:** Exactly.This walkout was a coordinated effort with baristas in Massachusetts and over a dozen other locations all walking out in solidarity. We want starbucks to understand that this is a nationwide concern.
**Host:** What kind of response are you hoping to get from Starbucks through this action?
**Alex Reed:** We want them to take our concerns seriously. We want to see real progress in contract negotiations, specifically, we’re pushing for fair wages that reflect the rising cost of living, predictable schedules that allow us to have a stable life, and a commitment from Starbucks to truly listen to our concerns as employees.
**Host:** How has the public been responding to the walkout?
**Alex Reed:** We’ve received a lot of support from the public. Many people understand the challenges we face and are sympathetic to our cause. Some customers have even refused to cross the picket lines,showing solidarity with our struggle.
**Host: ** what message do you have for those listening who may be enjoying their holiday Starbucks beverage?
**Alex Reed:** We’re not asking for people to boycott Starbucks. We simply ask that they understand the challenges we face and support our efforts to create a fairer and more just workplace.
**Host:** [Alex Reed Name], thank you so much for your time and for shedding light on this important issue.
**(Outro Music)**
# Interview Script: Starbucks Strikes Heat Up Before Christmas
**Archyde News**
**Host:** Welcome back to Archyde News. Tonight, we delve into the escalating labor dispute gripping Starbucks stores across the nation.
Baristas at over 300 Starbucks locations are staging walkouts today, disrupting service during one of the busiest times of year for the coffee giant.
Joining us tonight is Arloa fluhr, a bargaining delegate for Starbucks Workers United. Arloa, thank you for being here.
**Arloa fluhr:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Let’s dive right in. You’ve stated the holiday season has a “darker side” for many Starbucks workers. Can you elaborate on what you mean by that?
**Arloa Fluhr:** Absolutely. While the holiday season shoudl be a time of joy, many Starbucks workers, including myself, struggle with stress and uncertainty.Just this year, my hours were slashed, leaving me worried about making ends meet and ensuring my daughter, who is diabetic, has access to her insulin.
**Host:** You mention that Starbucks has broken its promises to workers.
**Can you detail the key issues driving this strike?**
**Arloa Fluhr:** This strike is a last resort.
Starbucks Workers United has been negotiating in good faith for a fair contract, but the company’s proposals are simply not adequate.Starbucks is offering no new wage increases for unionized baristas and a future increase guarantee of a meager 1.5%.
That’s less than 50 cents an hour, hardly enough to keep up with the rising cost of living.[1]
**Host:** Starbucks claims it has reached agreements on “hundreds of topics,”
including “many economic issues,” and that they offer competitive wages and benefits. How do you respond to those claims?
**Arloa Fluhr:** Starbucks touts its “best-in-class benefits” but ignores the reality that many baristas still struggle to make ends meet. While the advertised wage might seem decent, unstable hours and limited access to those benefits for many part-time workers paint a different picture.
Starbucks’ claim “we’ve reached over thirty (30) meaningful agreements” rings hollow when the core issues regarding fair wages and working conditions remain unresolved.
**Host:** We sought a statement from Starbucks, but they chose not to provide one for this interview.
They have, though, held press conferences and issued press releases saying they are committed to reaching an agreement and are willing to return to the bargaining table.
**What’s your response to that?**
**Arloa Fluhr:**
We are also committed to reaching a fair agreement, but actions speak louder than words. Starbucks claims they want to negotiate but they haven’t presented a genuine proposal that addresses our core concerns.
Frankly, we’ve seen stalling tactics before.
**Host:** This strike comes amidst numerous other labor actions across various sectors. What message do you hope your strike sends to other workers and to Starbucks?
**Arloa Fluhr:** Our message is clear: Workers deserve fair wages, stable hours, and respect. We hope our strike inspires other workers to stand up for their rights and demand better treatment. we are not backing down, and we urge Starbucks to return to the bargaining table with a serious proposal.
**Host**: Arloa Fluhr, thank you for sharing your outlook and. for joining us tonight.
**Arloa Fluhr:** Thank you for having me.
**(Note: [1] this margin is based on the information provided in the text.)**
