Starbucks Agrees to Bargain with Unions, Ending Firings and Store Closures
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After a 3-year union drive, Starbucks has agreed to bargain with its newly unionized workers, ending its campaign of firings and store closures. This is a major victory.
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Starbucks will provide back pay and benefits it had denied to unionized workers, and says it wants contracts ratified by the end of 2023.
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Starbucks' failed union-busting has cost an estimated $240 million. Continued organizing and community/shareholder pressure likely pushed it to bargain.
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The agreement may allow a wave of new Starbucks union elections. Starbucks says it wants a "fair process for organizing" going forward.
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This proves low-wage, high-turnover workers can organize against huge corporations. It's a model for broader food service organizing and comes amid rising union activity nationwide.