• Starbucks workers' union, representing over 10,000 baristas, have initiated a strike due to unresolved wage and staffing issues.
• The strike has led to the closure of Starbucks cafes in multiple U.S. cities and could reach hundreds of stores by Christmas Eve.
• Negotiations between Starbucks and Workers United have hit an impasse, despite multiple bargaining sessions since April.
• The strike, happening during one of Starbucks' busiest times, brings public scrutiny into the company's labor practices.

As the holiday season approaches, Starbucks, a global coffeehouse chain, is facing a significant labor action. Members of the Starbucks workers' union, representing over 10,000 baristas, have walked off their jobs in multiple U.S. cities. The strike, which began on Friday, led to the closure of Starbucks cafes in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Seattle. The union announced that the strike would expand to Columbus, Denver, and Pittsburgh through Saturday. This strike is the latest in a series of labor actions that have accelerated across service industries.

The Workers United union, which represents employees at 525 Starbucks stores across the U.S., announced late on Thursday that the walkouts would escalate daily and could reach hundreds of stores nationwide by Christmas Eve. Starbucks, however, downplayed the impact of the strike, stating that only 10 out of 10,000 company-operated stores did not open on Friday, and there was no significant impact on store operations.

The strike has been driven by unresolved issues over wages, staffing, and schedules. Union member Shep Searl, who joined a picket line at a Starbucks location on Chicago's north side, stated that 100% of the unionized workers at the Starbucks location in Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood were participating in the strike.

Unresolved Issues and Negotiation Impasse

According to the workers, they have been subject to numerous unfair labor practices, including write-ups, captive-audience meetings, and firings. Searl also highlighted the inadequacy of their wages, given inflation and the high cost of living in a large city, especially since they rarely get 40-hour work weeks.

Negotiations between Starbucks and Workers United began in April, based on a framework agreed upon in February. Despite holding more than nine bargaining sessions since April and reaching over 30 agreements on hundreds of topics, including economic issues, the talks have hit an impasse. The union accused Starbucks of not presenting a serious economic proposal with less than two weeks remaining until the year-end contract deadline.

The workers' group also rejected an offer of no immediate wage hike and a guarantee of a 1.5% increase in future years. The strike is taking place during one of the busiest times of the year for Starbucks, which could magnify its impact while bringing unwanted public scrutiny into the company's labor practices.

Impact and Historical Context

The coffee chain is currently working on a turnaround under its newly appointed top boss, Brian Niccol, who aims to restore coffee house culture by overhauling cafes and simplifying its menu among other measures. The Starbucks workers' strike comes in the same week as workers at seven U.S. Amazon.com facilities walked off the job during the holiday shopping rush. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 33 work stoppages in 2023, the most since 2000, though far lower than in past decades.

The Starbucks strike is reminiscent of the labor actions that have taken place in the past. For instance, the Trump administration had a contentious relationship with federal-sector unions, which have protected government workers for decades. The administration sought to weaken and, in some cases, dismantle these unions, which could not bargain directly over workers' pay but could provide job security and challenge discipline meted out by supervisors.