Seattle Baristas Strike, Join Nationwide Protests for Union Contracts

In a nationwide protest, Starbucks baristas, backed by Starbucks Workers United, staged strikes and sit-ins in cities including Chicago, Seattle, and Pittsburgh, demanding a finalized union contract and improved working conditions. In Chicago, 11 demonstrators were arrested during a sit-in at the Edgewater store, where workers have been urging Starbucks to complete negotiations for a collective bargaining agreement since the first unionization efforts over three years ago. The protests coincide with Starbucks' annual shareholder meeting, highlighting the workers' grievances about wages, staffing, and the company's labor practices. Despite Starbucks claiming progress in negotiations, workers feel the need for civil disobedience to amplify their demands. Similar actions took place in Seattle, where baristas walked off the job, and students at the University of Washington supported calls to sever ties with the coffee giant until demands are met. Starbucks has faced declining sales, layoffs, and criticism over its labor policies, intensifying the pressure from its workforce.