Starbucks baristas in Colorado are making their voices heard as they continue their strike efforts, which have now extended through Christmas Eve, as part of an ongoing campaign for better pay and improved working conditions.
Strike Expands Across Colorado
The strike, which began earlier this week, saw workers in Colorado Springs gather outside the Garden of the Gods, where one of the city’s few unionized Starbucks locations is situated. As the strike intensified on Saturday, workers made it clear that they were not backing down until their demands were met.
Tiffany Sparks, a Starbucks Shift Supervisor and Union Delegate, spoke passionately about the frustrations her team and other employees across the state are facing. “They just offered us, essentially for some of us, a fifteen-cent raise. It doesn’t feel fair,” Sparks said. “I know myself and my partners who are in here every single day who are serving our wonderful customers and giving the Starbucks experience too, we are worth way more.”
The union representing Starbucks workers has made it clear that the meager raise proposal is not enough to meet the growing demands for fair wages and safer working conditions. Workers are standing firm, arguing that they deserve more for the hard work they put in each day.
The Numbers Behind the Strike
While the strike has been gaining momentum in Colorado, it remains a small fraction of Starbucks’ overall operations. Approximately 25 stores out of more than 10,000 nationwide were closed on Saturday, with the majority of locations continuing to operate as usual. However, the strike has drawn attention from both the public and the company’s executives.
Despite the disruption caused by the ongoing labor action, Starbucks corporate representatives have stated that they are open to continuing negotiations. They maintain that the union ended talks prematurely and are eager to find a resolution that will benefit both parties.
Key Points from the Strike:
- Duration: Strike set to last through Christmas Eve
- Location: Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs (the only unionized Starbucks in the city)
- Workers’ demands: Higher pay and improved working conditions
- Union’s position: Strike ongoing due to unsatisfactory pay increase offers
- Starbucks corporate response: Claims talks were cut short, open to resuming negotiations
While the strike represents a small portion of Starbucks’ total operations, it has become a significant point of contention for workers who are seeking better treatment in the workplace. As the strike continues, all eyes will be on whether negotiations can be revived before the holiday season ends.
