10,000+ Starbucks Workers Back Strike, Demand Better Conditions

Starbucks Workers United secured a 98% strike authorization vote across 500 U.S. stores, representing over 10,000 baristas. 

According to union leadership, this move follows 18 months of stalled contract talks and over 100 unresolved unfair labor practice cases. That's a lot of missed orders. Workers' demands include wages, staffing, and scheduling practices, which remain points of contention after limited progress in bargaining sessions since April.

Starbucks, not one to sit back, has countered with expanded benefits, including an 18-week paid parental leave program and healthcare enhancements. These measures have yet to do much to deter the strike authorization. Union leaders have not announced strike dates but aim to maintain leverage while negotiations continue. 

CEO Brian Niccol expressed a conciliatory tone: "I have profound respect for our partners' right to select a union to represent them via a fair and democratic process."

To add more drama to Starbucks's list of problems, employee numbers have been dropping, with 2024 staffing at 361,000—a 5.25% decline from 2023. That said, the company has retained a strong customer base: 33.78% of customers are 18–29 years old, 30.04% are 39–49, and 21.05% are 50–64. Millennials and Gen Z dominate the demographic, with 53.5% preferring Starbucks. Loyalty also plays a vital role, contributing 41% of sales, while mobile technology drives engagement with 31.2 million app users and 50% of customers utilizing mobile payments. App users visit stores nearly seven times more frequently than non-users.

However, this will only work with employees, so as the union remains prepared to activate its strike mandate, customers hope the two sides can resolve their differences. After all, during the holiday season, lattes wait for no one.