US Starbucks Workers On Brink of Strike as Contract Talks Stall
Starbucks Workers United has announced that its members are preparing to go on strike if a new contract is not finalized by November 13, just ahead of the high-traffic holiday season. The union, which represents over 9,000 workers, claims that talks with the company have been stalled for too long and says it will not back down.
The union has filed more than 1,000 charges against Starbucks alleging unfair labor practices, according to a spokesperson who left the company after a 15-year career. The union is demanding better pay, improved staffing, and on-the-job protections as part of its push for a new contract.
Starbucks has denied that it owes workers anything, claiming that its current offerings are already the best in retail. However, the union argues that the company's CEO, Brian Niccol, has "gone backwards" on labor standards since taking over.
For many baristas like Jasmine Leli of Buffalo, New York, who is leading strike efforts at her store, a new contract is crucial for improving working conditions and wages. "Our fight is about actually making Starbucks jobs the best jobs in retail," Leli said. "Right now, it's only the best job in retail for Brian Niccol."
With talks seemingly deadlocked, unionized baristas are bracing themselves for a potential strike that could hit over 25 cities worldwide. The union says its members will not back down unless their demands are met, and with the holiday season just around the corner, tensions are running high.
Starbucks has a reputation for being a desirable employer, but its workers say they deserve better treatment than what they're getting now. As one spokesperson for the union put it, "If Starbucks keeps stonewalling, they should expect to see their business grind to a halt." The ball is very much in Starbucks' court.
Starbucks Workers United has announced that its members are preparing to go on strike if a new contract is not finalized by November 13, just ahead of the high-traffic holiday season. The union, which represents over 9,000 workers, claims that talks with the company have been stalled for too long and says it will not back down.
The union has filed more than 1,000 charges against Starbucks alleging unfair labor practices, according to a spokesperson who left the company after a 15-year career. The union is demanding better pay, improved staffing, and on-the-job protections as part of its push for a new contract.
Starbucks has denied that it owes workers anything, claiming that its current offerings are already the best in retail. However, the union argues that the company's CEO, Brian Niccol, has "gone backwards" on labor standards since taking over.
For many baristas like Jasmine Leli of Buffalo, New York, who is leading strike efforts at her store, a new contract is crucial for improving working conditions and wages. "Our fight is about actually making Starbucks jobs the best jobs in retail," Leli said. "Right now, it's only the best job in retail for Brian Niccol."
With talks seemingly deadlocked, unionized baristas are bracing themselves for a potential strike that could hit over 25 cities worldwide. The union says its members will not back down unless their demands are met, and with the holiday season just around the corner, tensions are running high.
Starbucks has a reputation for being a desirable employer, but its workers say they deserve better treatment than what they're getting now. As one spokesperson for the union put it, "If Starbucks keeps stonewalling, they should expect to see their business grind to a halt." The ball is very much in Starbucks' court.
. I mean, these guys are not asking for the moon here - they just want better pay, more staff, and some basic protections on the job. It's like, if you're running a successful business, don't you owe your employees at least some basic respect? 
. They're not just employees - they're people with families, bills to pay, and dreams of their own. And if Starbucks wants to stay competitive, it needs to step up its game and treat its workers better 
. It's not just a matter of labor disputes; it's a reflection of the company's overall approach to its employees. I think Brian Niccol's leadership style has created a power imbalance that's unsustainable in the long run. The union's demands for better pay, staffing, and on-the-job protections are reasonable, considering the industry standard is already set at a decent level.
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I'm so tired of unions always being portrayed as the bad guys. Like, can't we just try to have a civil conversation about workers' rights? These baristas are actually doing some amazing organizing work and demanding better treatment from an already pretty decent company 
. Starbucks has its flaws, but stonewalling them is not gonna solve anything 
. I think it's time for us as consumers to take a closer look at the real issues here – low wages, lack of job security, and on-the-job protections are legit concerns. Maybe we can have a nuanced discussion about what that means for workers and customers alike? 
. Back in my day, we had unions and workers actually having some say in the company they worked for. Now it's all about the benjamins and who cares about people? I mean, 25 cities on strike? That's not a drill 
. These baristas are fighting for better pay, more staff, and actual protections on the job. It's not just about Starbucks, it's about every other company that thinks they can get away with exploiting their workers.
. It's a shame, because baristas are some of the hardest working folks out there. They're not just serving coffee, they're serving as human beings 
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like they just wanna be treated fairly and get a decent wage for their hard work? who's asking for that much?! 
strike in november already? that's like, right before xmas and everything 
. i mean, who wants to work for a place that doesn't value its employees? barista jasmine is like, totally on point with her "it's only the best job in retail for brian niccol" comment 
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- they deserve way better than that 15 yr old coworker who left the company and is now spouting off against it, tho 
. They're asking for decent pay and some basic protections on the job, which seems pretty reasonable to me... isn't that what we expect from our bosses? 
. can't wait to see what happens next... might be interesting to see how the holiday season plays out