The Starbucks union is currently on strike in multiple cities, marking a significant escalation in their efforts to negotiate their first union contract with the coffee retailer. The union, known as Starbucks Workers United, conducted their initial strike in 13 months on Friday, with plans to continue escalating the strike until Christmas Eve. This strike is the most significant work stoppage undertaken by the union since their organizing campaign began three years ago.

The three cities where strikes are currently taking place are Seattle, Chicago, and Los Angeles, all of which have been identified by the union as critical markets for the company. Starbucks Workers United has warned that unless Starbucks commits to negotiating a framework for their first union contract, the strike will extend to hundreds of locations across the country by Christmas Eve.

The union has been organizing store-by-store since December 2021, following their victory in the inaugural union election in Buffalo. According to the National Labor Relations Board, Starbucks Workers United has won the right to represent 12,000 workers at 528 stores, with some decline in support at 100 stores. While this represents progress, it is still a small percentage of Starbucks’ 11,200 company-operated stores in the United States, which employ around 201,000 workers.

The competition for negotiating the initial contract has been ongoing. Since the union’s initial strike at approximately 100 locations in November 2022, there have been additional strikes at some of the represented stores. While many stores were able to stay open during strikes by replacing striking workers with managers and workers from non-union stores, ten locations across three cities were unable to operate as usual on Friday.

A Starbucks spokesperson stated that the company’s store operations have not been significantly affected by the strikes. They acknowledged some disruption at a small number of stores but affirmed that the majority of US stores remained operational and were providing customers with regular services.

This strike marks the first major work stoppage since November 2023, despite ongoing negotiations and reported progress between the company and the union. Unlike some industries where strikes continue until agreements are reached, Starbucks Workers United has conducted strikes for specific durations. This tactic has become more common among US unions in recent years, sometimes resulting in successful outcomes such as the 2023 strike at Kaiser Permanente.

The union has expressed its desire to resolve legal complaints and negotiate an initial labor agreement with Starbucks since February. However, they claim that the company has failed to fulfill the terms of their agreement, leading to the strike. Union members emphasize that striking is a last resort, but they feel that Starbucks has left them with no alternative by not honoring their commitment to baristas.

While the union is prepared to re-enter negotiations to reach a resolution, they state that the company has terminated negotiations on their end. Starbucks has expressed concerns about the union’s economic proposals, which they claim require unsustainable increases in wages. The company emphasizes that they offer an average wage of over $18 per hour and provide benefits such as health care, tuition assistance, paid family leave, and stock grants.

The union, however, accuses Starbucks of reversing progress since September when the new CEO, Brian Niccol, took office. They point to the executive compensation given to Niccol, which includes stock grants worth millions of dollars, as evidence that the company has the means to invest in their workers.

Overall, the strike by Starbucks Workers United represents a significant step in their ongoing efforts to negotiate a fair union contract for baristas across the country. Both the union and the company remain committed to resolving their differences, but the path to an agreement remains uncertain as the strike continues to escalate.