Starbucks Union Baristas Vote to Authorize Strike as Contract Negotiations Continue

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, in a significant development, Starbucks Workers United announced on Tuesday that 98% of union baristas have voted to authorize a strike. The move comes as unionized workers push for a comprehensive contract agreement with the coffee giant.

The Current State of Negotiations

Bargaining delegates from both sides returned to the table this week for their final scheduled session of the year. The primary goal is to reach a “foundational framework” agreement that addresses core issues such as barista pay, benefits, and workplace conditions.

While Starbucks and Workers United have spent hundreds of hours in negotiations this year and agreed on dozens of tentative items, the union claims significant obstacles remain. Specifically:

• Hundreds of unfair labor practice cases are unresolved.
• Starbucks has not proposed a comprehensive package addressing worker concerns.

Starbucks Responds

In a statement to CNBC, Starbucks disputed the union’s claims, stating negotiations have been productive. The company emphasized progress made on economic and workplace matters, saying:

“It is disappointing that the union is considering a strike rather than focusing on what have been extremely productive negotiations. Since April, we’ve attended more than eight multi-day sessions where we’ve reached thirty meaningful agreements on dozens of topics.”

A Renewed Tension

This strike authorization signals renewed friction between Starbucks and the union, despite optimism earlier this year. In late February, both sides described finding a “constructive path forward” through mediation after years of tense relations.

The union movement, which began in Buffalo three years ago, faced strong resistance from Starbucks leadership, leading to consumer backlash and CEO testimonies in Washington. Former CEO Howard Schultz’s opposition drew national attention, culminating in a hearing on Capitol Hill.

New Leadership and Challenges

Starbucks’ new CEO Brian Niccol, who took over in September, pledged to bargain in good faith with the union. As part of his leadership efforts, Niccol announced plans to double paid parental leave starting in March.

However, the news of a potential strike comes amid reports that baristas will receive a smaller annual pay increase next year. The decision follows a sales slump at Starbucks’ U.S. locations, which has added pressure to the company’s performance.

Union Momentum Grows

Despite the challenges, the unionization movement has made significant strides:

• More than 500 Starbucks stores have voted to unionize under Workers United since 2021.
• Workers continue to advocate for improved wages, benefits, and workplace protections.

What’s Next?

As Starbucks and Workers United close out a year of bargaining, the union’s overwhelming vote to authorize a strike adds new urgency to the negotiations. Whether both sides can resolve their differences and avoid a work stoppage remains to be seen.

For updates on this developing story, stay tuned as we monitor the progress of Starbucks’ contract talks with Workers United.

Key Takeaways:

• 98% of union baristas voted to authorize a strike.
• Starbucks and the union remain divided on unresolved issues like pay and benefits.
• Tensions resurface despite earlier signs of cooperation.
• The outcome of negotiations will impact over 500 unionized Starbucks locations across the U.S.

 

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