The union representing Starbucks baristas said Tuesday that the strike against the Java giant has expanded to more than 300 locations — with about 10,000 cafe workers walking off the job on Christmas Eve.
Baristas in more than 50 cities including New York, Boston, Dallas, Denver, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Seattle and Chicago have marched on the picket line since Friday to demand better wages and working conditions.
It’s unclear to what extent the shutdown has hurt Starbucks’ business.
According to company filings cited by The New York Times, a typical company-owned Starbucks location in the United States generates between $4,000 and $8,000 during a typical business day.
This number increases during the holiday season. According to the Times.
The strike is scheduled to end on Tuesday and workers are scheduled to return to their stores on Christmas Day.
Earlier this week, Starbucks said the disruptions caused by the strike did not have a significant impact on its operations because only a small number of US stores were affected.
The Post requested comment from Starbucks and the union.
The Starbucks Workers Union, the union that launched the strike, represents employees at more than 500 company-owned stores — representing about 5% of the total number of stores operating in the United States.
Overall, Seattle-based Starbucks operates more than 11,000 stores in the United States and employs about 200,000 workers.
The company has so far rejected the unions’ demands as exorbitant.
“The labor union’s proposals call for an immediate increase in associates’ minimum hourly wages by 64%, and by 77% over the life of the three-year contract,” Starbucks said over the weekend.
“This is not sustainable,” the coffee chain said.
Talks between Starbucks and the union reached an impasse over unresolved issues over wages, staffing and schedules, leading to the strike.
Starbucks began negotiations with the union in April. This month, it said it conducted more than eight bargaining sessions during which 30 agreements were reached.
According to Starbucks, the average wage its workers currently earn is more than $18 per hour, and when taken with benefits, the average wage equals more than $30 per hour.
The company added: “We are ready to continue negotiations to reach agreements.” “We need the union back to the table.”
With mail wires
