Starbucks employees broaden strike in US cities, together with New York

(Reuters) -Starbucks employees have expanded their strike to 4 extra U.S. cities, together with New York, the union representing over 10,000 baristas mentioned late on Saturday.

The five-day strike, which started on Friday and initially closed Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) cafes in Los Angeles, Chicago and Seattle, has added areas in New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia and St. Louis, Employees United mentioned in a press release. It didn’t specify in what New Jersey metropolis the walkout was occurring.

Starbucks mentioned the disruptions from the strike don’t have any vital impression on its operations as a result of solely a small handful of U.S. shops have been impacted.

“Employees United proposals name for a right away enhance within the minimal wage of hourly companions by 64%, and by 77% over the lifetime of a three-year contract. This isn’t sustainable,” the espresso chain mentioned.

The union is putting in 10 cities, additionally together with Columbus (WA:CLC), Ohio; Denver and Pittsburgh, throughout the busy vacation season which will impression the corporate’s Christmas gross sales.

The corporate operates greater than 11,000 shops in the US, using about 200,000 employees.

Talks between Starbucks and the union hit an deadlock with unresolved points over wages, staffing and schedules, resulting in the strike.

Employees United warned on Friday that the strike may attain “a whole lot of shops” by Tuesday, Christmas Eve.

Starbucks started negotiations with the union in April. It mentioned this month it had carried out greater than eight bargaining classes, throughout which 30 agreements had been reached.