Starbucks workers expand strike in US cities, including New York

Published December 23, 2024
A Starbucks sign is shown on one of the company’s stores in Los Angeles, California, U.S. October 19, 2018.— Reuters
A Starbucks sign is shown on one of the company’s stores in Los Angeles, California, U.S. October 19, 2018.— Reuters

Starbucks workers have expanded their strike to four more US cities, including New York, the union representing over 10,000 baristas said late on Saturday.

The five-day strike, which began on Friday and initially closed Starbucks cafes in Los Angeles, Chicago and Seattle, has added locations in New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia and St. Louis, Workers United said in a statement.

It did not specify in what New Jersey city the walkout was occurring.

Starbucks said the disruptions from the strike have no significant impact on its operations because only a small handful of US stores have been impacted.

“Workers United proposals call for an immediate increase in the minimum wage of hourly partners by 64 per cent, and by 77pc over the life of a three-year contract. This is not sustainable,” the coffee chain said.

The union is striking in 10 cities, also including Columbus, Ohio; Denver and Pittsburgh, during the busy holiday season which may impact the company’s Christmas sales.

The company operates more than 11,000 stores in the United States, employing about 200,000 workers.

Talks between Starbucks and the union hit an impasse with unresolved issues over wages, staffing and schedules, leading to the strike.

Workers United warned on Friday that the strike could reach “hundreds of stores” by Tuesday, Christmas Eve.

Starbucks began negotiations with the union in April. It said this month it had conducted more than eight bargaining sessions, during which 30 agreements had been reached.

Opinion

Editorial

Revised solar policy
15 Mar, 2025

Revised solar policy

THE decision to significantly revise down buyback prices at which power distribution companies purchase electricity...
Toxic prejudice
15 Mar, 2025

Toxic prejudice

WITH far-right movements on the march across the world, it is no surprise that anti-Muslim bias is witnessing high...
Children in jails
15 Mar, 2025

Children in jails

PAKISTAN’S children in prison have often been treated like adult criminals. The Sindh government’s programme to...
Cohesive response
Updated 14 Mar, 2025

Cohesive response

Solely militarised response has failed to deliver, counterterrorism efforts must be complemented by political outreach in Balochistan.
Agriculture tax
14 Mar, 2025

Agriculture tax

THE changes in the provincial agriculture income tax laws aimed at aligning their rates with the federal corporate...
Closing the gap
14 Mar, 2025

Closing the gap

PAKISTAN continues to struggle with gender inequality in its labour market. A new report by the ILO shows just how...