The Starbucks workers’ union said on Friday it is escalating an indefinite strike to more than 120 stores and 85 cities, demanding higher pay and staffing levels at the coffee chain.
The walkout, set to be the longest strike in the history of Starbucks, began on its Red Cup Day on Nov. 13 with 65 stores and more than 40 cities.
The strike comes on Black Friday, the busiest time of year for retailers when shoppers hunt for bargains on everything from food and groceries to apparel and appliances.
A long-term strike will likely impact public relations over the intermediate time horizon, but “in light of market volatility caused by tariffs and other factors, Starbucks would want to make this a short-term affair,” said Michael Duff, a professor at the Saint Louis University School of Law.
Starbucks, which has more than 17,000 coffeehouses in the US, said 99% of its locations in the country remain open.
“Regardless of the union’s plans, we do not anticipate any meaningful disruption,” a spokesperson for Starbucks said.
Striking baristas are demanding higher wages, improved working hours and the resolution of hundreds of unfair labor practice charges for union busting.
Contract talks remain stalled despite mediation efforts in February, with both sides trading blame after delegates rejected Starbucks’ proposed package in April that guaranteed annual raises of at least 2%.
“The law allows management to hire replacements in this kind of strike, so the workers just don’t have a lot of leverage,” Harry Katz, a professor at the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations said.
Workers United said it represents over 11,000 baristas and about 550 Starbucks stores.
Starbucks Workers United has repeatedly targeted the company’s busy holiday season and Red Cup Day, when Starbucks hands out reusable red holiday-themed cups to customers for free on coffee purchases.
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