ROSEVILLE, Minn. — Members of Starbucks Workers United mounted a lively strike picket line in front of the Starbucks here Dec. 24. They’re part of 4,500 Starbucks workers on strike across the country since Nov. 13 in a fight for a union contract. Roseville is a suburb of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Bex, a barista at the Starbucks in Chanhassen, another Twin Cites suburb, said most of the strikers would go back to work on Dec. 29, but some, like those in Washington state who are able to get unemployment compensation, will continue picketing.
They’re fighting for a union contract that guarantees higher pay, more hours that assure them benefits, as well as resolution of hundreds of outstanding unfair labor practice charges.
“At the end of last week, the union informed us that partners at 166 of the 215 coffeehouses on their strike list would like to unconditionally return to work,” Starbucks management announced, “meaning they are ready to return under the current terms of their employment.”
Workers at 560 of more than 17,000 Starbucks stores are currently unionized.
Alex, the picket line captain, thanked Socialist Workers Party members for coming out in solidarity during the strike.