Latest on the Starbucks Protests in Seattle

Recently, Seattle became a national headline as the labor battle between Starbucks and its unionized workforce continues to escalate. In mid-November, baristas who were represented by the Starbucks Workers United, also called the SWU, launched a strike that was timed around the company’s “Red Cup Day,” a holiday sales event. This action quickly spread to other cities with Seattle’s protests creating the greatest effect. Workers rallied outside the company’s SoDo headquarters and several Seattle stores.

Right at the center of the dispute is conflict over a first contract with workers saying Starbucks has stalled this negotiation for over three years. According to SWU, issues like inconsistent scheduling, wages and benefits remain unsolved. The union also aims to shed light on the over 700 pending unfair labor practice charges against the company. These charges range from retaliatory firings to illegal policy changes, however, Starbucks has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

Even as striking workers report a strong backing from customers, Starbucks insists the impact has been very minimal, saying 99% of its stores have stayed open during the walkout.

“I go to Starbucks all the time and I never knew about this conflict,” senior Hailey Hansen said.

Despite these statistics, images circulating on the internet showing baristas protesting in front of the company’s headquarters display how large this conflict has become. Workers are carrying signs saying, “No contract? No coffee!” and “Red Cup Rebellion.” Many individuals have even described this strike as potentially the most significant labor action in Starbucks’ history.

Beyond the contract dispute, the demonstration highlights a shift in labor within the industry. Since Starbucks was founded, they have promoted themselves as a worker-friendly company, but many argue that with the rapid growth of the coffee company, they have outpaced this reputation. Labor experts note that the outcome of this standoff can affect how other large corporations handle similar situations.

As both sides continue to hold their position, the standoff shows no signs of stopping with the conflict continuing from November to December. With the holiday season underway, a critical period for Starbucks revenue, workers hope the timing of the protests will force the company to negotiate. Right now, Seattle still remains the center of this national shutdown which will undoubtedly affect the future of Starbucks.