Starbucks Workers Go on Strike at 100 Store Locations

Starbucks employees across the nation are uniting. About 100 store locations across the United States will be on strike for the next three days as the union protests unfair labor practices. 

This is the second strike organized by Starbucks Workers United, the first being a one-day strike in November. 

According to NPR, “More than 264 of Starbucks’ 9,000 company-run U.S. stores have voted to unionize since late last year.” 

However, barista, Michelle Eisen from Buffalo, New York, claimed that there is still work to be done.  “They’re doubling down on their union-busting, so we’re doubling down, too. We’re demanding fair staffing, an end to store closures, and that Starbucks bargain with us in good faith.”

Labor disputes between Starbucks and the union have been ongoing. The National Labor Relations Board and NPR reported that “Workers United has filed at least 446 unfair labor practice charges against Starbucks since late last year, including that the company fired labor organizers and refused to bargain.” Additionally, Starbucks “has filed 47 charges against the union, among them allegations that it defied bargaining rules when it recorded sessions and posted the recordings online.” 

However, the drama has reportedly not affected Starbucks’ sales.