Over 1,000 unionized Starbucks workers at 65 U.S. stores initiated a strike on Red Cup Day due to stalled labor negotiations, aiming to disrupt the company’s busiest day. The union, Starbucks Workers United, cited demands for better pay, hours, and improved staffing, alongside addressing alleged unfair labor practices. Starbucks maintains its commitment to offering competitive wages and benefits and claims the union walked away from negotiations. The open-ended strike, with potential for expansion, seeks to leverage the visibility of retail labor disputes to raise public awareness of workers’ concerns.
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AP News reports that Starbucks union members have voted to strike beginning November 13th, Red Cup Day, unless a contract agreement is finalized. The union, Starbucks Workers United, plans to have workers strike in at least 25 cities. The union has yet to finalize a labor contract with the company after over two years of negotiations, while Starbucks expresses disappointment at the prospect of a strike and claims it already offers competitive pay and benefits. The union has accused Starbucks of not negotiating in good faith and has pushed back against claims that their proposals are not serious.
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Over 1,000 Starbucks baristas across 75 stores are striking, protesting a new dress code mandating solid black shirts and specific bottoms. The union, Starbucks Workers United, argues the code, which restricts previously permitted attire, should be subject to collective bargaining and filed a complaint with the NLRB. Starbucks claims the dress code enhances brand image and customer experience, while the union contends it’s a misguided decision ignoring employee concerns and impacting service times. Despite Starbucks’ assertion of limited impact, the strike highlights ongoing labor disputes and stalled contract negotiations between the company and the union.
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John Q. Hosedrinker