Investing.com – A Starbucks (NASDAQ:) union representing over 10,000 workers said it would strike in Los Angeles, Chicago and Seattle starting Friday, with the strike lasting at least through Christmas.
Workers United said in a social media post that the strikes would begin Friday morning and “escalate each day through Christmas Eve,” citing claims of unfair labor practices. The union is seeking a basic framework for better working conditions and pay.
The move comes after Workers United members voted to authorize a strike earlier this week, despite little progress being made in negotiations with Starbucks management over workers’ demands.
More than 500 company-owned Starbucks stores have unionized in the last three years.
This week’s strike brings further headwinds for Starbucks, which has struggled with weakening demand and rising costs for two years.
The company named turnaround man Brain Niccol as its new CEO earlier this year. Niccol, who is credited with helping revive the fast food chain Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc (NYSE:) had continued negotiations with unions.
