Starbucks workers and union members across ten countries, including England and Scotland, are planning protests in solidarity with their striking counterparts in the United States. Starbucks Workers United has launched Rebellion to mobilize thousands of workers and union supporters. They’re calling for fair pay, adequate staffing and settlement of the dozens of unfair labor practice complaints against the company.
Starbucks’ protests are the latest development in a multiyear labor conflict that continues to dog the company’s efforts to rebound from the pandemic. With Chief Executive Brian Niccol at the helm, the chain is pulling out all the stops trying to re-attract customers to its restaurants. They’re introducing ever-faster service and they’re doubling down on the relationships at the coffeehouse. As one aspect of this multi-pronged effort, Starbucks has committed to investing at least $500 million to improve staffing and training.
Meanwhile in the UK, the Unite union is planning a series of rallies across several major cities. Look out for these in London, Norwich and Glasgow respectively. Glasgow’s workers are now preparing for an all-out work stoppage. This move is a testament to the growing international solidarity for their fellow US colleagues.
Starbucks Workers United has ramped up pressure on the corporation after a year of stalled negotiations. Union leaders maintained that relations with Starbucks had become warmer over the past year. Negotiations on the contracts froze up once Niccol became CEO in September. They are calling on the Administration to continue the conversation, to understand and address workers’ needs.
The company said same-store sales at global Starbucks locations open at least a year rose a tepid 1%. It was the company’s first quarterly uptick in almost two years. Sales have continued to stagnate in the US market, a sign that customer engagement continues to present an uphill battle.
Regardless of hell these workers go through, Starbucks continues to argue that its pay and benefits are the best in the industry. In defense of this practice, the company claims that baristas are getting more work hours per week on average than they did in prior years.
Diego Franco, a Starbucks Workers United organizer, told the need of Starbucks workers around the globe to fight for the union.
“Starbucks executives need to know: wherever Starbucks is, our picket lines will be there too.” – Diego Franco
Starbucks is likewise preparing themselves for a massive demonstration planned in front of their new flagship store, the largest in the world, in Chicago. We pay attention to neighborly touches, from locally designed ceramic mugs to handwritten welcome notes. All these efforts seek to improve our customer experience even as we deal with outside pressures from pro-labor movements.