Starbucks Workers Nationwide Strike Against Labor Practices

Starbucks workers across the U.S. engaged in a significant five-day Unfair Labor Practices (ULP) strike, culminating on Christmas Eve, to protest stalled contract negotiations and inadequate wage increases. Over 5,000 workers participated, including locations in San Jose, North Carolina, and Iowa, highlighting frustrations over a mere 1.5% raise offered by Starbucks amid executive compensation packages exceeding $100 million. The union, Starbucks Workers United, accused the company of failing to negotiate in good faith and disregarding their demands for fair pay and improved working conditions. Workers voiced their concerns about understaffing and the disparity between their wages and those of top executives, with some baristas receiving only 30 to 50 cent raises. The strikes, which included significant participation from baristas in major cities, aimed to leverage the busy holiday season for maximum impact. As the movement grows, more than 500 Starbucks locations have unionized since the first successful effort in Buffalo three years ago.