Unionized Starbucks employees are alleging that the company is failing to negotiate in good faith and is not providing substantial pay raises. In response, Starbucks accuses the union of pushing for wage increases that the company considers “unsustainable.”
Workers from unionized Starbucks locations in Seattle, Los Angeles, and Chicago began picketing on Friday, initiating a five-day strike designed to disrupt operations during the busy holiday season when many customers frequent stores for seasonal beverages. Starbucks Workers United is hoping that this action will compel the company to implement wage increases and address unfair labor practice complaints filed with the National Labor Relations Board.
In a statement, Starbucks spokesperson Phil Gee expressed disappointment, stating, “Workers United delegates prematurely ended our bargaining session this week. It is disappointing they didn’t return to the table given the progress we’ve made to date.”
The breakdown in negotiations this week stemmed from disagreements over the contract proposals presented by both sides. Starbucks has previously stated its commitment to reaching a framework agreement to guide negotiations on a store-by-store basis by the end of the year. Meanwhile, Workers United has indicated that the strike could expand to include hundreds of locations nationwide by Christmas Eve. However, Starbucks maintains that the strike has not significantly affected their store operations.
The National Labor Relations Board’s involvement, particularly regarding unfair labor practice charges, adds another layer to the conflict. These charges typically relate to issues such as retaliatory actions against workers for unionizing or unfair treatment during negotiations. The outcome of these investigations could influence the bargaining power of the union and the company’s approach to negotiations.