Starbucks workers expand their strike, closing nearly 60 stores in several American cities

Starbucks workers They expanded their strike to include more cities and closed 59 stores across the United States as of Monday, according to the union, which represents more than 10,000 baristas.

The strike began Friday in Los Angeles, Chicago and Seattle, but has since spread to stores across the country, including Boston, Dallas, Portland, New York City, Denver, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and St. Louis.

“We respect our associates’ right to engage in lawful strike activity, and we appreciate the thousands of associates across the country who continue to support each other and deliver the Starbucks experience to our customers,” the company said in a statement.

Workers are protesting the lack of progress in contract negotiations with the company.

Starbucks responds to union demands with workers strike

Starbucks Workers Union He said the company failed to fulfill its commitment 10 months ago to reach a business agreement this year. Talks between Starbucks and the union have stalled over unresolved issues over wages, staffing and timelines.

The company said: “The union’s proposals call for an immediate increase in partners’ minimum hourly wages by 64%, and by 77% over a three-year contract. This is not sustainable.”

Starbucks said the disruptions caused by the strike did not have a significant impact on operations because only a few stores across the country were affected.

Unionized Starbucks workers vote to allow strike

The union warned on Friday that the strike could reach “hundreds of stores” by Christmas Eve. Starbucks operates more than 11,000 stores and employs about 200,000 workers in the United States.

The company and the union have been negotiating since April. Starbucks said it has committed to an annual wage increase of 1.5% or more for union workers, even if it gives a smaller raise to non-union workers in any given year.

Starbucks baristas earn an average of $18 an hour in the U.S., but with included benefits — such as health care, free college education, and paid family leave — Payment package The company said the value averages $30 per hour for baristas who work at least 20 hours a week.

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However, workers are not satisfied, noting that Starbucks’ new chairman and CEO, Brian Niccol, who started in September, could make more than $100 million in his first year.

The union also wants the company to resolve outstanding legal issues, including hundreds of unfair labor practice claims that workers have filed with the National Labor Relations Board.

Reuters contributed to this report.