Starbucks Baristas to Strike Across the US in Five-Day Walkout
Starbucks baristas are preparing for a five-day strike starting Friday, December 20th. The walkouts, organized by Starbucks Workers United, will begin in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Seattle and are expected to spread to hundreds of stores across the country by Christmas Eve if an agreement isn’t reached.
The union authorized the strike on Tuesday after accusing the coffee giant of backtracking on promises regarding organizing and collective bargaining.
“Since the Febuary commitment, the company has repeatedly pledged publicly that it intended to reach contracts by the end of the year, but it has yet to present workers with a serious economic proposal,” the union stated. “The walkouts will hit during the final weekend of holiday shopping before Christmas, traditionally one of Starbucks’ busiest customer traffic times of the year.”
Starbucks Workers United claims the company hasn’t made considerable progress on economic issues, despite extensive negotiations this year. Lynne Fox, President of workers United, stated, “We were ready to bring the foundational framework home this year, but Starbucks wasn’t. After all Starbucks has said about how they value partners throughout the system, we refuse to accept zero immediate investment in baristas’ wages and no resolution of the hundreds of outstanding unfair labor practices. Union baristas know their value, and they’re not going to accept a proposal that doesn’t treat them as true partners.”
Starbucks, however, maintains they are ready to continue negotiations and insists the union return to the bargaining table.
In a statement, Starbucks stated, “Workers United delegates prematurely ended our bargaining session this week. It is disappointing they didn’t return to the table given the progress we’ve made to date. Since 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 notable to them, including many economic issues. We are focused on enhancing the partner (employee) experience,with over $3 billion invested in the last three years. Starbucks offers a competitive average pay of over $18 per hour, and best-in-class benefits. Taken together they are worth an average of $30 per hour for baristas who work at least 20 hours per week. Benefits include health care, free college tuition, paid family leave, and company stock grants. No other retailer offers this kind of comprehensive pay and benefits package.”
The first strikes are scheduled to begin Friday at 10 a.m. at the Alameda and Shelton Starbucks location in Burbank,California.
## Starbucks Workers on the Brink: A Q&A
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**Archyde:** Representatives from Starbucks workers United have announced a plan for a five-day walkout encompassing hundreds of stores across the US beginning Friday, December 20th. Before the holiday rush, the union claims Starbucks has backtracked on promises regarding organizing and collective bargaining. What specific concessions are they seeking, and what are the key sticking points in these negotiations?
**Lynne Fox, President, Starbucks Workers United:** We’ve been at the bargaining table for months, and while Starbucks has touted progress on various aspects, the reality is they haven’t presented a serious economic proposal addressing our core concerns. We’re fighting for a living wage that reflects the rising cost of living and for the resolution of numerous unfair labor practices that have eroded trust between workers and management.
**Archyde:** Starbucks, though, maintains they’ve made significant strides in discussions and have offered a competitive compensation package including benefits.They cite an average hourly wage exceeding $18 and a comprehensive benefits package valued at $30 per hour for employees working at least 20 hours a week. How would you respond to these claims?
**Lynne Fox:** While Starbucks touts these figures,the reality on the ground is quite different. many partners struggle to make ends meet, and the tremendous workload often leads to burnout and stress. We’re not just looking for a number on a paycheck; we want a fair share of Starbucks’ success and a commitment to creating a workplace were all partners feel valued and respected.
**Archyde:** Starbucks baristas are taking this drastic step during one of the busiest shopping periods of the year. Some might argue that targeting this time frame creates undue pressure on the company and inconveniences customers.How would you address this criticism?
**Lynne Fox:** We understand the inconvenience this may cause, but we believe it is indeed necessary to draw attention to the severity of our concerns.we are not engaging in this action lightly. This is about standing up for ourselves and fighting for a better future, not just for Starbucks partners, but for all workers seeking fair wages and safe working conditions.
**Archyde:** A strike of this magnitude inevitably impacts both employees and customers. Do you believe a compromise can still be reached before the
walkout begins? What message would you give to Starbucks customers caught in the middle of this labor dispute?
**Lynne Fox:** We remain hopeful that Starbucks will return to the bargaining table with a genuine willingness to address our concerns. we urge Starbucks to understand that investing in its workforce is an investment in the future of the company. To our customers, we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause but ask for your understanding and support as we fight for a fairer workplace.
**Archyde:** This labor dispute raises significant questions about the balance of power between corporations and their employees, especially in the face of rising inflation and a challenging economic climate.
Do you think this strike will spark a wider movement within the service industry?
**Lynne Fox:** We hope our action inspires othre workers to stand up for themselves and demand better treatment. The labor movement is gaining momentum, and we believe this strike can be a catalyst for positive change across the service industry.
