Dec 11 (Reuters) – The Starbucks workers’ union said on Thursday hundreds of new union baristas are walking out of their jobs in 34 cities, joining the strike which has been escalating since it began last month.
The walkout, which started on the coffee giant’s Red Cup Day on November 13 at 65 stores and more than 40 cities, has expanded to more than 180 stores and 130 cities, the union said. This is set to be the largest strike in the history of Starbucks.
The company did not respond to Reuters request for comment.
“We need Starbucks to end the illegal union busting, and we need a fair contract with fair pay, reliable hours, and on-the-job protections,” Zarian Pouncy, a barista of 12 years from Las Vegas who walked out on the job on Thursday said.
“Until then, the message from baristas and our allies across the U.S. and beyond is clear: No Contract, No Coffee!” he said.
Starbucks agreed to pay $38.9 million to settle claims by New York City for violating a local law requiring predictable and stable schedules for fast-food workers over half a million times in three years, Mayor Eric Adams’ office had said.
The settlement requires Starbucks to pay $35.5 million to more than 15,000 workers and $3.4 million in penalties and costs, according to a November 26 settlement agreement.
(Reporting by Anuja Bharat Mistry in Bengaluru; Editing by Arun Koyyur)
Comments