Starbucks workers say they will begin a strike in 3 cities on Friday

The Starbucks Workers United union says baristas are going on strike for five days in three metropolitan areas, as the organization and Starbucks have failed to agree on a new contract before the end of the year.

SWU says the strikes will start Friday and go until Christmas Eve, a stretch it is calling "'Twas the Strike Before Christmas."

The union said some workers in Los Angeles, Seattle and Chicago will join the picket line as Starbucks has recently offered a contract that included no raises for the immediate future, and raises of 1.5% in coming years.

Starbucks Workers United workers first unionized in 2021, and now represent more than 10,000 employees. They are asking for a minimum wage of $20, annual raises of 5%, a fair scheduling process, better healthcare and enhanced paid leave protocols.

NPR has reached out to Starbucks. It told other outlets, including The Associated Press: "We are ready to continue negotiations to reach agreements. We need the union to return to the table."

In February, Starbucks and the union released statements saying they had made progress in negotiations, and Starbucks said it would work in 2024 to resolve litigation between the company and the union and develop a fairer process in letting employees organize.

"Since February, Starbucks has repeatedly pledged publicly that they intended to reach contracts by the end of the year – but they've yet to present workers with a serious economic proposal," the union said.

The union said Tuesday that 98% of Starbucks Workers United members voted Tuesday to authorize a strike.

Starbucks Workers United said the strikes would continue to "escalate … unless Starbucks honors our commitment to work towards a foundational framework."

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