Starbucks employees have expanded their strike to include four additional cities in the United States, with New York now joining the list.
The union representing over 10,000 baristas, Workers United, disclosed this development late Saturday.
The ongoing five-day strike, which commenced on Friday and initially resulted in closures of Starbucks cafes in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Seattle, has now extended to locations in New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia, and St. Louis. Workers United.
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Despite the escalating strike, Starbucks has downplayed its impact. “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,” the coffee chain stated, noting that only a small number of its U.S. stores have been disrupted.
The strike, now spanning 10 cities, also includes Columbus, Ohio; Denver; and Pittsburgh. Its timing during the busy holiday season poses potential risks to Starbucks’ Christmas sales.
Workers United has cited unresolved disputes over wages, staffing, and scheduling as reasons for the impasse in negotiations, which began in April.
The union warned on Friday that the strike could expand to “hundreds of stores” by Tuesday, Christmas Eve.
Starbucks, which operates over 11,000 U.S. locations and employs around 200,000 workers, said it has conducted more than eight bargaining sessions this month, achieving 30 agreements in the process. However, talks have failed to resolve key issues, leading to the ongoing labour action.
