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Starbucks Union Gets Aggressive in Fight With Starbucks


Late last month, Starbucks Workers United (the union that represents Starbucks workers around the country) started to ramp up its pressure on the company by calling on customers to boycott buying giftcards and staging temporary strikes and walkouts at over 60 stores.

Readers will recall that one of the prevailing stories over the past twelve months has been the ongoing unionization at Starbucks locations across the country.  In doing so, Starbucks Workers United has seen their impact and power grow exponentially.  As a result of the successful unionizations, discussions between Starbucks Workers United and the company have taken place over a collective bargaining agreement.  Perhaps to the surprise of no one, those talks over a contract have been slow going.

Following the prolonged and drawn out discussions over a contract, Starbucks Workers United sought to use temporary strikes and walkouts to draw attention to their cause.  According to the union, the strikes and walkouts were not done to financially harm Starbucks but rather highlight the alleged anti-union activities that have been alleged by the union against the company.  As for the efforts to get customers to not buy giftcards, this is apparently an effort to keep money out of the pockets of Starbucks as unused giftcards and money sitting in Starbucks apps accounted for $196 million in revenue for the company over the last year.

Will last month’s actions by Starbucks Workers United result in any tangible results for the union?  Time will tell.


For additional information:   https://www.restaurantdive.com/news/starbucks-union-turns-up-pressure-with-strikes-gift-card-boycott/638990/

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