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Starbucks baristas hit the picket lines
Around 550 company-owned U.S. Starbucks stores are currently unionized. More have voted to unionize, but Starbucks closed 59 unionized stores in September as part of a larger reorganization campaign.
SANTA CLARITA, Calif. - Starbucks baristas across the nation, including several locations in Southern California, continue to strike as they demand a fair union contract.
The labor action, dubbed the "Red Cup Rebellion," involves approximately 1,000 workers at 65 stores nationwide.
What we know:
About 1,000 baristas in 40 cities nationally participated in the strike when it began last Thursday, coinciding with Starbucks' popular Red Cup Day event.
The strike, organized by Starbucks Workers United, impacted at least 65 stores nationally, including those in Southern California cities like Long Beach, Anaheim, San Diego, Santa Clarita, and Seal Beach.
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The union called the action the "Red Cup Rebellion" and characterized it as an "open-ended strike" prompted by the company allegedly "refusing to offer new proposals."
Demands from the striking workers include higher wages, better staffing, and the resolution of alleged unfair labor practices.
What they're saying:
Michelle Eisen, spokeswoman for Starbucks Workers United, issued a clear warning about the action.
"If Starbucks keeps stonewalling a fair contract and refusing to end union-busting, they'll see their business grind to a halt," she said in a statement. "No contract, no coffee is more than a tagline — it's a pledge to interrupt Starbucks operations and profits until a fair union contract and an end to unfair labor practices are won," Eisen said.
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Eisen further elaborated on the union's core demands:
"Starbucks knows where we stand. We've been clear and consistent on what baristas need to succeed: more take-home pay, better hours, resolving legal issues. Bring us new proposals that address these issues so we can finalize a contract. Until then, you'll see us and our allies on the picket line."
The other side:
According to Jaci Anderson, a Starbucks spokesperson, the Workers United union represents less than 4% of its partners.
Anderson added that less than 1% of Starbucks coffeehouses have been impacted and "the overwhelming majority of our 10,000+ U.S. company-owned coffeehouses are open and serving customers as normal."
"In terms of our annual Reusable Red Cup Day — we had a great day — we exceeded our sales expectations across company-operated coffeehouses in North America."
Anderson further stated that while the union "appears to be claiming 65 stores and 1,000 partners were on strike," company records indicate "a fraction of that."
What's next:
Union officials indicated that the labor action has the potential to extend to as many as 550 unionized Starbucks locations nationally.
The strike is currently labeled an "open-ended strike," suggesting the walkout will continue until progress is made on contract demands.
The company has stated it is ready to talk "when they're ready to come back."
The Source: The information in this article comes directly from official statements provided by the involved parties, including a statement from Michelle Eisen, spokeswoman for Starbucks Workers United. These direct quotes and representative accounts explain the motivations, demands, and current perspectives of both the striking baristas and the coffee company. The Associated Press contributed.