Additional Coverage:
- Starbucks’ worker strike expands to a dozen major U.S. cities after employees say the chain offered an ‘insulting economic package’ (newsbreak.com)
Starbucks employees in 12 cities across the US are striking for five days during the busy holiday shopping season. The strike began on December 20th and is the culmination of months of failed negotiations between the coffee chain and the union representing over 10,000 baristas.
The union alleges that Starbucks has made “insulting” wage and scheduling offers and has engaged in unfair labor practices. The company, on the other hand, claims that the union’s demands are unsustainable.
The strike, which is the largest of its kind in Starbucks history, has drawn support from politicians such as Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey and Senator Bernie Sanders. The union hopes that the strike will pressure Starbucks into reaching a fair contract that addresses the concerns of its workers.