Starbucks workers’ massive strike has ended after a days-long holiday break. The unionized workforce, represented by Starbucks Workers United, has been without a collective bargaining agreement with the company for months. Negotiations stalled over economic issues, including potential wage increases.
According to experts, the strike may be just the beginning, and the labor battle will continue unless a deal is reached. If talks fail, workers may escalate their opposition through further strikes or pressure tactics. Conversely, if Starbucks agrees to meaningful negotiations on economic proposals, workers may shift toward a more cooperative approach.
The union proposes an immediate 64% wage increase for most baristas and an overall 77% raise over the three-year contract duration. Starbucks counters that this is unsustainable. The company operates 10,000 stores with 200,000 employees nationwide, but experts believe the strikes will not significantly impact operations due to its large workforce.
Labor law grants companies significant latitude in collective bargaining negotiations, giving them leverage over the next steps. Experts warn that if Starbucks does not make a new proposal, workers may adopt more militant strategies. Alternatively, the company could pivot toward an increasingly hostile approach, knowing it’s unlikely to face much pushback from the National Labor Relations Board under President-elect Donald Trump.
For now, union members plan to regroup and weigh their options before deciding on the next path forward. The union has organized over 150 new stores in 2024, bringing the total number of unionized stores to approximately 540.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/US/labor-battle-starbucks/story?id=117094187