A Starbucks barista strike is expanding to some 5,000 workers at what organizers said was more than 300 stores in 45 states, just as the company’s busy holiday stretch begins.
Though it still only represents approximately 3% of all U.S. Starbucks locations, it’s an expansion of an action that began last week in three cities.
Organized by the Service Employees International Union and Starbucks Workers United, the strike aims to draw attention to alleged unfair labor practices and stalled negotiations over a contract that would cover thousands of workers. The workers are seeking an immediate increase in Starbucks’ minimum hourly wage by as much as 64%, and over 77% over the life of a three-year contract.
“After all Starbucks has said about how they value partners throughout the system, we refuse to accept zero immediate investment in baristas’ wages and no resolution of the…
