Thousands of Starbucks workers are picketing this week at some stores across the country, including at five in San Diego County, amid contract negotiations.
The pickets were occurring at about 60 stores nationwide through Friday, including at locations at Vista Way and Jefferson in Oceanside, at Leucadia and I-5 in Encinitas, at Stonecrest Plaza in San Diego, at University and Richmond in San Diego, and at Highland & 30th in National City.
The picket is organized by Starbucks Workers United, which represents about 12,000 unionized employees and is asking the global company to improve staffing, increase pay and address allegations of unfair labor practices.
A Starbucks spokesperson said the union represents about 4% of its barista workforce.
Ongoing contract negotiations had resulted in dozens of tentative agreements before they devolved in December 2024. Both sides blame the other for stalled negotiations. Starbucks Workers United claims Starbucks backtracked on promises, while the coffee giant says the union presented an incomplete framework to its delegates.
The Starbucks spokesperson said the company has already invested $500 million to increase staffing during busy times and said they were ready to return to the bargaining table.
“If they’re ready to come back, we’re ready to talk. Any agreement needs to reflect the reality that Starbucks already offers the best job in retail, including more than $30 an hour on average in pay and benefits for hourly partners,” the statement read, in part.
A strike authorization vote was launched on Friday, but the union does not have an end date. CNBC reported that if the strike is approved, it would be the third since last December.
The pickets are not expected to impact operations.