In this article, Starbucks Workers United announced on Tuesday that 98% of union baristas have voted to authorize a strike in their pursuit of a contract with the coffee giant. Bargaining delegates are scheduled to resume negotiations with Starbucks on Tuesday, marking the final planned session of the year with the aim of reaching a “foundational framework.” Throughout the year, Starbucks and Workers United have dedicated numerous hours to bargaining, presenting numerous tentative agreements, as stated by the union in a press release.
Despite this progress, many unfair labor practice cases remain unresolved, and the union noted that Starbucks has yet to propose a comprehensive package addressing barista compensation and other benefits. In response to CNBC, Starbucks refuted the union’s portrayal, emphasizing the company’s commitment to finalizing a framework agreement. Starbucks expressed disappointment in the union’s consideration of a strike, highlighting the productive nature of the negotiations held since April, which resulted in thirty significant agreements on various topics deemed important by Workers United delegates.
The strike authorization signals a potential cooling of relations between the two parties, following a period of improved relations in late February when they identified a “constructive path forward” through mediation. Prior to this, Starbucks had resisted the unionization wave that had spread across its company-owned locations for over two years. The company’s efforts to counter the union movement faced criticism from consumers and lawmakers, culminating in former CEO Howard Schultz testifying before Congress.
Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol, who assumed the role in September, pledged to engage in negotiations in good faith in a letter to the union during his initial weeks in office. Niccol recently announced that the company would double its paid parental leave starting in March. However, reports suggest that baristas may receive a smaller annual pay increase next year compared to previous years, following a decline in sales at its U.S. outlets.
Since the first elections held in Buffalo three years ago, over 500 company-owned Starbucks cafes have voted to unionize under Workers United.
