Starbucks baristas are more than three years into their battle to work out a finalized union contract with the company.
The baristas represented by the Workers United union have seen their formal talks with Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) progress slowly this year, with some forward motion on non-economic issues, but major disputes still remaining over wages, scheduling, benefits, and understaffing. Mediation has also failed to lead to a resolution.
Earlier this year, Workers United rejected Starbucks’ (NASDAQ:SBUX) latest economic offer, which it said failed to make real improvements to pay or workplace conditions.
On September 22, Starbucks (SBUX) workers in Seattle participated in a “practice” picket outside the large Starbucks Roastery, the company’s flagship store. The union also highlighted that more than 45 major organizations sent a letter to Starbucks (SBUX) CEO Brian Niccol urging the company to finalize fair union contracts. “We will continue to back union workers’ fight, including by not crossing barista picket lines at Starbucks if they feel striking is necessary,” warned the letter.
The first Starbucks (SBUX) store to vote to unionize was located in Buffalo, New York. That watershed vote took place in December 2021.
For its part, Starbucks (SBUX) has steadily maintained it has a deep commitment to a “best-in-retail” workplace, citing competitive compensation and benefits already provided to all partners.