- Starbucks employees across LA, Seattle and Chicago are set to strike on Friday for five days
- They demand better pay, improved conditions and more staff
- Strikes are expected to spread to hundreds of locations across the country
- Strike is part of a broader movement of labour unrest in the US
Major Starbucks Strikes Across the US Ahead of Christmas
Starbucks baristas in the US, represented by Workers United, are set to begin a five-day strike starting Friday, demanding better pay, improved working conditions, and more staff at their stores. The strike, which will start in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Seattle, is expected to spread to hundreds of locations across the country by Christmas Eve unless an agreement is reached.
The union has called for higher wages, better staffing levels, and more predictable schedules for workers. In response, Starbucks has stated that it is ready to continue negotiations and urged the union to return to the bargaining table.
Starbucks points out that it offers an average pay of over $18 per hour, with benefits that bring total compensation to around $30 per hour for baristas working at least 20 hours a week. However, Workers United argues that there is a significant pay gap between the baristas and top executives at Starbucks, particularly CEO Brian Niccol, who earns a base salary of $1.6 million, along with a potential bonus of up to $7.2 million and shares worth up Major Starbucks Strikes Across the US Ahead of Christmas to $23 million annually.
The strike is part of a broader movement of labour unrest in the US, including a protest by Amazon delivery drivers, who walked off the job in seven facilities over stalled contract negotiations. This growing wave of labour actions is taking place during the busy holiday season, putting pressure on major corporations like Starbucks and Amazon.