By Mark Gruenberg\People’s World
NEW YORK—With no progress in deadlocked negotiations in sight, some 12,000 Starbucks workers nationwide voted by a 92%-8% margin to authorize an open-ended strike, beginning November 13. “No contract, no coffee,” the workers say, and they’ll again ask the public to support them, starting on what the coffee giant labels its “Red Cup Day,” opening the holiday season.
The workers have been in talks with Starbucks bosses, now led by new CEO Brian Niccol, for more than a year. They had hoped Niccol would bring a more positive attitude than his predecessors, including stubborn Starbucks founder Howard Schultz, who initiated and implemented the firm’s rigid anti-unionization policy.
But Starbucks has stonewalled for six months on key issues of better pay, more hours, and more-predictable scheduling, one worker spokesperson who asked not to be named told People’s World in a telephone interview.
That’s led the workers to plan to walk. “Union baristas mean business and are ready to do whatever it takes to win a fair contract and end Starbucks’ unfair labor practices,” 15-year barista Michelle Eisen, a spokesperson for the workers, posted on the website of Starbucks Workers United…READ MORE
