The Starbucks Workers United (SBWU) union has authorized a strike against the coffee giant just prior to the final contract negotiation session in 2024, scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 19. According to an Instagram post, “98% of SBWU baristas voted to authorize a ULP [unfair labor practices] strike, if necessary.”
This ramp-up in rhetoric comes at the end of a year when it seemed that Starbucks and the union, which claims to represent more than 500 stores and 10,500 workers, seemed to be moving toward a more productive working relationship. In September 2024 Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol said in a letter that he “deeply respects” workers’ right to unionize, following the April 2024 news that the company and the union had made “significant progress” in contract bargaining.
Starbucks also pointed to the progress that has been made in 2024: “It is disappointing that the union is considering a strike rather than focusing on what have been extremely productive negotiations,” said Starbucks spokesperson Phil Gee in comments provided to Retail TouchPoints. “Since April we’ve scheduled and attended more than eight multi-day bargaining sessions where we’ve reached 30 meaningful agreements on dozens of topics Workers United delegates told us were important to them, including many economic issues.”
In fact, 2024 has marked a significant contrast with 2023, when in June the union launched strikes at more than 150 stores to protest alleged restrictions on placing LGBTQ+ Pride decorations in cafés. In November 2023 the union also planned a “Red Cup Rebellion” labor action.
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The new SBWU strike threat comes just days after the Teamsters union authorized strikes at three Amazon distribution centers. Amazon has had a contentious relationship with the Teamsters and has strongly resisted organizing efforts among its labor force around the country.
Starbucks recently more than doubled parental leave periods and has repeatedly stressed the value of the benefits it offers to its workers. “We remain committed to working together and committed to reaching a final framework agreement,” said Gee. “This is our goal. If the delegates want to serve the partners they represent, they need to continue the work of negotiating an agreement.”