Starbucks workers hold strike vote amid anger over pay and conditions

Starbucks Workers Brink of Strike as Pay Dispute Escalates

A strike vote is underway among unionized Starbucks workers across the US, with over 70 pickets planned in 60 cities nationwide. The workers are demanding better wages, benefits, and working conditions, amid allegations that the company breached labor laws by engaging in bad faith bargaining.

The dispute has its roots in the company's failure to secure a contract with its union representatives, Starbucks Workers United, since winning elections at over 650 locations in 45 states and the District of Columbia. The union claims that Starbucks management started "majorly stonewalling" the negotiations, while Starbucks disputes that the union walked away from the bargaining table.

Many Starbucks baristas report struggling to make ends meet, with some earning less than $16 an hour. Sabina Aguirre, a barista in Columbus, Ohio, said that making such low wages would be "unsustainable for a day-to-day life" and put her at risk of homelessness.

The situation has been further complicated by the company's recent store closures and cost-cutting restructuring measures, which have been criticized as a response to lagging sales. Meanwhile, Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol's compensation package has been heavily criticized, with his total earnings over the past year exceeding $97 million.

Rebecca Givan, a labor law professor at Rutgers University, believes that the strike authorization vote will demonstrate the workers' seriousness about taking action if a contract is not agreed upon soon. "It's clear that bargaining has stalled," she said. "Thousands of Starbucks workers have voted to unionize, and they aren't yet protected by a binding contract."

Starbucks spokesperson Jaci Anderson claimed that the company's transformation campaign, known as Back to Starbucks, was working, but acknowledged that workers had chosen to walk away from the bargaining table. The company maintains that it already offers competitive wages and benefits, but the union argues that more needs to be done to address pay disparities.

With thousands of workers on the brink of strike action, the outcome will have significant implications for the US labor movement and Starbucks' reputation as a corporate employer.

man I'm really hoping this strike thing goes through , it's crazy that these baristas are struggling so much with wages and benefits. $16 an hour is basically minimum wage in some places, and you can't just live off that. I feel bad for Sabina Aguirre, she sounds like a great person who deserves better. the fact that Starbucks has over 650 locations but still can't give its workers a decent contract is wild . and yeah, the company's cost-cutting measures are no joke - it's like they're trying to squeeze every last penny out of their employees. but at least there's some good news out of this: the union is standing strong and thousands of workers have voted to take action . maybe this will be the wake-up call that gets Starbucks to step up its game and treat its workers with the respect they deserve

idk how much more these starbucks baristas can take its crazy that they gotta fight for basic wage livin lol theyre already workin like 60 hrs a week some1s gotta pay da bills but at the same time, $16 an hr aint cuttin it fam, esp with all de rising costs of livin and i feel bad for dem bc u gotta wonder if dey gonna get de help dey need from corporate or not its all about dat benjamins, rite?

The escalating pay dispute between Starbucks and its unionized workers is a concerning development that highlights the need for more comprehensive labor protections in the US . As Rebecca Givan pointed out, the strike authorization vote will serve as a clear indicator of the workers' resolve to take action if their demands are not met soon . With thousands of baristas struggling to make ends meet on wages below $16 an hour, it's essential that Starbucks acknowledges its responsibility to provide fair compensation and benefits . The company's recent store closures and restructuring measures have already taken a toll on employees' livelihoods, making this dispute even more pressing . Ultimately, the outcome of this strike will not only impact Starbucks workers but also send ripples throughout the US labor movement and the corporate world at large .

This is so crazy , I mean, 16 bucks an hour is basically minimum wage and they're expected to live off that? It's like, I get it, capitalism and all, but come on, we should be able to afford some basic human dignity . And what's up with the CEO making over 97 million in a year while workers are struggling? It just doesn't add up . The fact that they're actually planning a strike is super inspiring though - I mean, if thousands of people stand together for what's right, we can make some real change .

omg u guys i'm literally shaking rn - these starbucks baristas are fighting for their rights & it's about time ! 16 bucks an hour is basically minimum wage, fam... how can they expect ppl to live on that? i feel so bad for sabina from columbus tho, struggling to make ends meet is no joke . but honestly i'm also low-key impressed by the union reps - 650 locations & all... that's some serious organizing power . fingers crossed the strike doesn't happen, but if it does, i hope they get the respect & fair pay they deserve . and btw, has anyone seen brian niccol's salary package tho? $97 million?!?! that's just insane

I'm so down with these Starbucks baristas, they're literally fighting for their right living wage lol . I mean, can you imagine having to make ends meet on less than $16 an hour? It's like, what even is the point of getting paid if you can't afford to eat? And don't even get me started on CEO Brian Niccol's comp package, like, come on, dude! 97 million for a year? That's crazy rich . The union reps are right, bargaining has stalled and the workers deserve better. I'm literally crossing my fingers that this strike goes in their favor .

I'm all for the workers having a say in their own compensation package , but let's not sugarcoat it – if they want to earn more than $16 an hour, they gotta be willing to put in the work . I mean, have you seen the long hours those baristas put in? 12-hour shifts ain't no joke! Maybe Starbucks should consider offering more flexible scheduling or training programs to help workers upskill instead of just handing out bigger paychecks .

And can we talk about the CEO's comp package for a sec? $97 million is a lotta cash, bro. I'm not saying it's fair, but if he wants to lead by example, maybe he should be more willing to negotiate with the union . That being said, I do think Starbucks has its finger on the pulse of what customers want – who needs fancy menu items and comfy cups when you've got a decent wage and benefits?

idk why people still drink at starbucks anyway they're just going to make more money off us while we're struggling to pay our bills i mean, have you seen brian niccol's paycheck? $97 million for one year? no wonder they're so concerned about "customer experience" and not the actual employees' well-being anyone else tired of these corporate giants just making bank off their labor?

I mean, who doesn't love getting paid peanuts an hour while pretending to make artisanal coffee drinks all day ? The fact that Starbucks is still trying to spin their "Back to Starbucks" campaign like it's some kinda magic solution when it comes to worker pay is just laughable . Meanwhile, the CEO gets to rake in over $97 million and the workers are over here struggling to make ends meet... what's the plan, @Starbucks?

I'm not surprised they're striking , like, how hard can it be to offer decent pay and benefits? I mean, I've been to some of these stores where the baristas are literally shaking like they just saw a ghost when someone asks them for an extra shot of espresso. Like, what kind of wages can you expect if that's how you're feeling? On a serious note though, it's concerning that Starbucks is being so stubborn about this. I'm no expert but it seems like their 'back to Starbucks' campaign just sounds like corporate speak for "we're gonna cut costs and make workers do more". Can't say I blame the union for wanting better deals

man this is so messed up like how can one company control ppl's basic needs like money and housing and still make execs like brian niccol earn 97 million what's wrong with that? the workers r literally struggling to survive on less than 16 an hour its not just about wages tho, its also about workin conditions and benefits i think we need more unions and collective bargaining its time for a change in the way companies treat their employees

This is getting serious . 70 pickets across 60 cities? That's like, every major city in the US at this point... And they're not even sure if it'll work out because management keeps saying they offered competitive wages and benefits, but the union says nope, it's still all about the benjamins . I mean, come on, $97 million for one CEO? What does that say about the company culture? And Sabina Aguirre's story is straight up devastating... making barely enough to get by and risking homelessness? That's not just a bad working condition, that's a human crisis . I need some credible sources on this, though. Where did Rebecca Givan even work at Rutgers University again?

I think this whole thing is just an excuse for Starbucks to get what they want – more control over their workers lives The company's already making bank off their customers, and now they're trying to milk them dry even more by forcing employees to take a stand for "fairer" wages? Gimme a break.

These baristas are getting paid way better than most entry-level jobs, and some of them can actually earn up to $18 an hour in certain locations Meanwhile, the company's all bent outta shape about cost-cutting measures because it affects their bottom line. What about the workers' rights and well-being? Those don't seem to matter as much when the CEO's getting a 100M+ dollar pay package

I'm all for workers having a say in how they're treated, but let's not pretend like this is some grand, heroic struggle for labor rights. It's just business – a power play between management and union reps

OMG, like, can u believe these ppl are literally fighting 4 basic human rights like fair wages & decent benefits?! Starbucks is literally making their workers earn pennies while they're raking in millions of dollars CEO Brian Niccol's pay package is CRAZY and now the company's trying to spin it as if they're doing us a solid by giving us some tokenistic 'Back to Starbucks' transformation campaign Newsflash, @Starbucks: just bc u give us some extra beans doesn't mean we'll stop fighting 4 real change! The fact that these workers are risking homelessness & financial instability is SO NOT OKAY We gotta support them and demand more from our corporate overlords

I'm low-key salty about this whole situation . I mean, $16 an hour is basically minimum wage when you factor in the cost of living. Like, if your job doesn't allow you to afford basic stuff like housing and food, what's the point of even having a job? And don't even get me started on that CEO dude's compensation package... it's just wild . I feel for those baristas who are struggling to make ends meet - they deserve so much better .

I'm getting anxious about this one . The situation is already super tense, and with so many pickets planned, it's only gonna get more heated . I feel bad for those baristas who are barely scraping by on $16 an hour – it's like they're living paycheck to paycheck . And with the CEO raking in over 97 million bucks last year... it just doesn't seem fair. The company needs to step up their game and offer more competitive wages and benefits ASAP . It's not just about the money, though – it's about respecting workers' rights and recognizing that they're more than just baristas

‍ when you're lowkey struggling to make ends meet but your CEO is cashing out like 97 million

[Image of a barista looking dejected with a coffee cup in the background]

Strike vote underway thousands of workers standing up for themselves and their rights

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Starbucks: "We're already offering competitive wages" but the union says more needs to be done

I'm worried about these baristas, they're literally struggling to make ends meet, like Sabina said, that $16/hour isn't gonna cut it . It's not just about the money tho, its about having dignity at work and being treated fairly . If Starbucks is making so much cash (over $97 million for the CEO? ) why can't they pay their employees a decent wage?

omg u guys this is like soooo serious!! 70 pickets planned in 60 cities? that's crazy! i mean i get it starbucks has been doing some major restructuring and store closures but come on they gotta pay their workers a livable wage lol $16 an hour is not even enough for a day-to-day life in most places. and don't even get me started on the CEO's compensation package like wtf $97 million? that's just crazy talk! i'm all for the workers unionizing and standing up for themselves, they deserve it