Starbucks workers hold strike vote amid anger over pay and conditions

Starbucks Workers on Brink of Strike Amid Ongoing Labor Dispute

A strike vote by unionized Starbucks workers in the US has reached a critical stage as the employees express their frustration with low wages, poor working conditions, and what they perceive as company management's bad faith bargaining tactics. The workers' union, Starbucks Workers United, which represents over 12,000 baristas across more than 650 locations in 45 states, is seeking to finalize a contract that addresses these issues.

The strike authorization vote began last Friday and will conclude on November 2nd, with plans for approximately 70 pickets in 60 cities across the US. Many workers, including Sabina Aguirre from Columbus, Ohio, who makes less than $16 an hour, are at risk of homelessness due to the low wages and lack of benefits.

The union claims that Starbucks has engaged in bad faith bargaining since 2021, when workers began organizing around issues such as better wages, take-home pay, hours, and staffing. The company's CEO, Brian Niccol, had a total compensation package of $97.8 million last year, while the median annual salary for a Starbucks employee was just over $14,674.

Bargaining delegate Silvia Baldwin described the negotiations with Starbucks as "bad faith bargaining" after the company began stonewalling the union and pushing forward proposals that were deemed unserious. The union has claimed that it can finalize the contract in less than one average day's sales, highlighting the disparity between worker wages and corporate profits.

Labor law professor Rebecca Givan stated that a strong showing in the strike-authorization vote would demonstrate to Starbucks management that workers are serious about taking action if a contract is not agreed upon soon. She noted that demonstrating the ability of a national, dispersed campaign to lead to first contracts will send a message to workers nationwide that they can organize and win material gains backed by enforceable contracts.

Starbucks has downplayed the situation, claiming that its transformation campaign, known as Back to Starbucks, is working, and that workers are choosing to walk away from the bargaining table. The company claims that it offers competitive wages, with baristas earning more than $30 an hour on average, and that partner engagement is up, turnover is nearly half the industry average, and they receive over 1 million job applications annually.

However, many workers remain skeptical of the company's assertions, pointing to the stark contrast between worker wages and corporate profits. As the strike authorization vote nears its conclusion, it remains to be seen whether Starbucks will address the workers' demands and avoid a potentially costly strike.

Man I'm low-key worried about these Starbucks workers they're literally struggling to make ends meet on like $16 an hour and still have to deal with all this drama from corporate. It's crazy how the CEO is raking in that 97.8 million dollars while the median salary for a worker is just over 14k .

I don't know about the whole "Back to Starbucks" thing, it sounds like just more corporate speak but if they're really trying to address workers' concerns then maybe we'll see some real change. The union's got this, though - they've been pushing for better wages and benefits for ages.

It's gonna be a close call either way, but I'm hoping the workers get their demands met and avoid a strike . Either way, it's time for Starbucks to step up its game and treat its employees with some respect .

I'm low-key worried about these baristas They're making barely enough to get by and still gotta deal with the stress of working in fast-paced cafes all day It's not cool that corporate is raking it in while their employees are struggling to make ends meet

omg u guys i think starbucks is actually doing some shady stuff here theyre sayin they offer competitive wages & higher hourly rates but really its like $16 an hr in ohio thats barely livable especially with no benefits to speak of meanwhile their CEO is makin 97 mil last year lol that dont add up at all & its a total bait & switch with the back to starbucks campaign i think workers are being super smart for even tryin to fight back against bad faith bargaining gotta give it to 'em

I'm getting super frustrated with Starbucks right now ! I mean, how can you expect your employees to survive on minimum wage + benefits when their CEO is raking in $97.8 million ? It's like they're taking advantage of these people's basic human needs. And don't even get me started on the "Back to Starbucks" campaign – it sounds like just a PR stunt to distract from the real issues .

I think it's amazing that the union is standing strong and fighting for fair wages, better working conditions, and some actual respect from management . It's not too much to ask, right? I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Starbucks will listen to their employees' concerns before things get ugly... but I'm also bracing myself for a potential strike . We need to stand with these workers and demand better treatment for all!

I think this is getting serious, fam! The situation with the Starbucks workers is super concerning. Like, these guys are struggling to make ends meet on like $16 an hour and they're risking homelessness because of it. It's crazy that the CEO has a $97.8 million package while the median salary for employees is barely over $14k.

It's not just about the money tho, it's about the poor working conditions and bad faith bargaining tactics. I mean, if you can't even trust your employer to negotiate fairly, how's that gonna affect morale? The fact that they're trying to downplay this situation by saying workers are choosing to walk away is laughable, fam.

I think what's most concerning is the disparity between worker wages and corporate profits. Like, have you seen their financials? They're raking it in while these workers are struggling to get by. It's like they're taking from one side of the table and giving to another .

omg this is just crazy i mean $16 an hour for baristas in the us? that's like minimum wage lol what's going on with corporate america where they make 97 million and workers are struggling to make ends meet? it's all about profit over people, you feel me

The whole thing is just so messed up I mean, you've got these workers, many of whom are barely scraping by on minimum wage, while the CEO is raking it in with an 8-figure salary It's like, what even is the point of having a union if management isn't gonna take their demands seriously? The company's all about "Back to Starbucks" and claiming they're being super fair, but from where I'm sitting, it looks like they just want to keep profits rolling in while workers suffer

I'm really worried about these baristas, they're basically fighting for their basic human rights here . $16 an hour is NOT living wage, especially when you gotta make ends meet in places like Columbus, Ohio. It's crazy that the CEO is making over 7 million bucks while his employees are struggling to pay bills . The company says they're being "competitive" with wages, but from where I'm sitting, it feels like corporate speak . The workers deserve better than what's been offered so far, and I hope they stand firm in their demands . This strike could be a game-changer for labor laws in the US and set an important precedent for worker rights . Fingers crossed it doesn't come to a strike, but if it does, I'll be rooting for those brave baristas!

I'm low-key worried about these Starbucks baristas right now . I mean, 12k+ workers making under $16 an hour? That's crazy talk! They're not asking for much, just some decent pay, benefits, and working conditions that don't make 'em wanna cry themselves to sleep at night . And what really gets my goat is that the CEO's getting paid like, a gazillion dollars while these guys are struggling to make ends meet. It's like, where's the fairness in that? I think this strike vote thingy could get pretty ugly if Starbucks doesn't shape up soon .

The situation with the Starbucks workers is getting really tense. I feel bad for these guys who are barely scraping by on $16 an hour. It's crazy that their wages are so low, especially when you consider the CEO making over $97 million last year . It just doesn't seem fair that they're not earning a living wage.

I think it's interesting that Starbucks is trying to spin this as workers choosing to leave the bargaining table, but I don't trust their numbers . The fact remains that many workers are at risk of homelessness because of these low wages and lack of benefits. It's not like they're just being picky or entitled - they have legitimate concerns that need to be addressed.

The union is doing a great job of organizing the workers and pushing for better contracts, but it'll be interesting to see if Starbucks takes them seriously . A strike would definitely send a message, but I hope both sides can come together and find a solution that works for everyone. Fingers crossed!

I don't think this is an attack on good people . These Starbucks baristas are speaking out for what's right, which is fair wages and better working conditions . I feel for them, I really do . The CEO's $97.8 million pay package is pretty eye-opening ($97.8 millioooon! ) but maybe it's a sign of how successful the company has become? I'm not saying that excuses the workers' situation, but let's not just jump to conclusions, okay? The union is fighting for better wages and benefits, which sounds like a fair ask to me . It's not about pitting them against the CEO, it's about advocating for change .

man this is crazy like what even is fair pay for these baristas they're literally struggling to make ends meet on $16 an hour can u imagine having to work multiple jobs just to get by meanwhile corporate is raking in all that cash it's wild and I feel bad for the workers who are at risk of homelessness it's not right that they have to fight so hard for basic human dignity

This is so crazy, like they're trying to make us live paycheck to paycheck and then act all surprised when we can't afford stuff . It's not just about the money, it's about feeling respected and valued as employees, you know? I mean, 16 bucks an hour isn't gonna cut it for most people, especially with rent and bills piling up on top of that. And don't even get me started on the CEO making 97 million dollars last year... what is wrong with this company?!

This is getting crazy! Like, I get that companies need to make money, but come on... $97.8 million for the CEO while most baristas are scraping by? It's just not fair. And 70 pickets in 60 cities? That's a lot of people standing together against this company. I hope they do finalize a contract that addresses these issues before it comes to that.

I think Starbucks needs to step up their game and show us that they're willing to listen to workers' concerns. They can't just say they're doing better when the reality is, many baristas are struggling to make ends meet. It's like, what's the point of having a 'transformation campaign' if you're not actually changing anything?

I'm curious to see how this all plays out. Will Starbucks get their act together and negotiate a fair contract, or will we be seeing a strike soon? Either way, I hope the workers get the recognition they deserve for standing up for themselves.

[Image of a barista with a sad face, surrounded by dollar signs ]

I'm keeping an eye on this Starbucks labor dispute and I gotta say, 70 pickets in 60 cities? That's a lot of worker frustration . It's not just about the wages, but also about the working conditions and benefits. I mean, $16 an hour is barely enough to make ends meet, especially when you factor in the cost of living.

I'm no expert, but it seems like Starbucks has been trying to stonewall the union, pushing forward proposals that aren't serious. That's not exactly confidence-inspiring. The company's CEO raking in $97.8 million last year while workers struggle to make a living is just wrong .

If the strike authorization vote goes through, it could be a game-changer for labor laws and worker rights nationwide. A strong showing would show that workers can organize and win material gains backed by enforceable contracts. Fingers crossed that Starbucks will listen to their demands and avoid a costly strike .

I'm keeping an eye on this whole Starbucks labor dispute thing . It's pretty wild that their CEO is raking in $97.8 million while the median salary for an employee is under $15k . I mean, I've heard of corporate profits being good, but this seems a bit out of whack . The fact that Starbucks claims workers are choosing to walk away from the bargaining table just doesn't add up . And let's be real, who can afford to live on $16 an hour? I'm rooting for the workers here