A Starbucks Corp. strike of unionized baristas has spread to three more cities in the US, disrupting service during the final days of the crucial holiday season.
Baristas from Denver, Pittsburgh and Columbus, Ohio, will join strikes that began on Friday in Chicago, Los Angeles and Seattle, according to a union statement.
Starbucks employees from additional cities will join each day until Christmas Eve, unless the company honors its February commitment to resolve unfair labor practices, the union added.
The disruptions have had “no significant impact” to store operations and only “a small handful” of U.S. stores have been affected, Starbucks spokesperson Phil Gee said.
Starbucks Workers United planned the action to coincide with the holiday season, an important time for the coffee retailer as shoppers treat themselves to lattes while finishing up their shopping. In addition to beverages, the company sells a large volume of gift cards during the year’s final months.
“We respect our partners’ right to engage in lawful strike activity, and we appreciate the thousands of partners across the country who are continuing to support each other and deliver the Starbucks experience for our customers,” Gee said.
The strikes were sparked by a breakdown in final-stage talks between the union and company leadership, according to the union, which represents employees at more than 500 company-operated Starbucks stores around the US. Starbucks Workers United said the coffee chain offered a package that included no immediate pay raises for its members.
“We remain prepared and available to bargain but need the union to return to the table,” Gee said. “Negotiations require give-and-take and working through proposals, not walking away.”
Workers have said that many stores lack adequate staffing, making it difficult to handle the complicated orders coming through the Starbucks mobile app.
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