Starbucks Strikes Expand Nationwide, Impacting Over 300 Stores

Forex - The strike by workers at Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) is set to expand nationwide to over 300 locations, with a five-day walkout related to barista pay escalating amidst the holiday rush, leading to store closures at the largest coffee chain in the U.S.

The union representing baristas, Starbucks Workers United, announced on Monday that the strikes will also spread to locations in Atlanta, Buffalo, and other cities yet to be disclosed ahead of Christmas Eve.

The strike began on Friday after negotiations between Starbucks and the union over wage increases stalled. As of Monday, the union reported that strikes had reached stores in various cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, Seattle, Boston, Dallas, New York City, Denver, and Pittsburgh, with more than 60 locations temporarily closed.

The union stated that if the strike expands as planned on Tuesday, it will only impact a small percentage of Starbucks' over 10,000 locations, but it will be the largest action taken against the coffee giant to date. Baristas are expected to return to work on Christmas or the following day.