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Local Starbucks workers join nationwide strike
Dozens of upset Starbucks baristas picketed outside the St. Anthony store on Tuesday, calling for higher wages and better working conditions. The workers, who joined more than 5,000 other baristas on strike nationwide, forced the store to close for the day.
Starbucks baristas in St. Anthony join 'The Strike Before Christmas'
ST. ANTHONY, Minn. (FOX 9) - The background: Dozens of upset Starbucks baristas picketed outside the St. Anthony store on Tuesday, calling for higher wages and better working conditions. The workers, who joined more than 5,000 other baristas on strike nationwide, forced the store to close for the day.
The strike, which started on Friday and quickly expanded to involve more than 300 stores in several states, prompted about 170 locations to temporarily shut down, Starbucks said.
What led to the strike: Starbucks baristas said the company spent millions of dollars on executive compensation in 2024 but did not give employees a raise. They said the CEO earns more than $50,000 an hour. They earn an average of $18 an hour, Starbucks said. The baristas also have concerns about staffing and want better schedules.
What they’re saying: Many baristas said they often struggle to pay their bills and cannot continue to live on their current wages.
"My wage is not nearly enough to live by myself, let alone with a roommate," said Ava Lebreck. "My family is struggling a lot. We just had our electricity turned back on after about four months."
Other baristas shared similar views.
"We have to fight for what we need, and we have to fight to live," said Abby Haland. "We are living paycheck to paycheck. We need to fight for better wages."
Starbucks plays down strike impact, says most stores unaffected
How the company’s responding: The Seattle-based coffee chain said the strike forced fewer than 200 of its more than 10,000 stores to temporarily close.
In a statement on Tuesday, Starbucks said, in part: "Workers United delegates prematurely ended our bargaining session this week. It is disappointing they didn’t return to the table…."
The company also said the union’s demands for wage increases are "not sustainable."
What’s next: The strike ends Tuesday. Baristas will return to work on Christmas and continue trying to reach a deal.