Starbucks strike expands to impact almost 60 stores across US

Starbucks staff across the US are protesting the international coffee chain’s apparent failure to honor a commitment to reach a contract arrangement. The strike has closed almost 60 stores across the US as of Monday, according to the union organising the protest.

The 5-day demonstration started in Chicago and Seattle. But it is threatening to quickly spread across the country. Strikes are already happening across Boston, Pittsburgh, Dallas, Portland and many other areas.

Besides contract disputes, the union organising the protest is also holding Starbucks responsible for outstanding legal issues stemming from hundreds of unfair labour practices that employees have brought to the notice of the National Labour Relations Board.

Starbucks strike and busy Christmas holiday

Earlier this month, Starbucks said it had committed to a minimum 1.5% annual pay increase or more for unionised employees in the near future. But the union rejected the offer on the table, demanding an immediate pay increase instead.

Starbucks said its US-based baristas made on average $18 per hour, excluding benefits. But employees stress that they deserve more, noting that the company’s CEO Brian Niccol is expected to make more than $100 million in his first year leading the company.

The Christmas holiday is one of the busiest periods for Starbucks. If the strike continues, it is likely to make a dent on their final quarterly financials. But the company recently insisted that the strikes have had “no significant impact” on operations.

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