Starbucks workers have gone on strike in New York and four other cities. The strike is part of their demand for higher wages. Over 10,000 employees are taking part in the protest.
The strike started on Friday. It has shut down several Starbucks stores in Los Angeles, Chicago, New Jersey, Philadelphia, and St. Louis. Workers are asking for a 64% to 77% raise in hourly pay as part of a three-year deal.
Starbucks said the strike has not caused major problems so far. Only a few stores have been affected. However, the company may face sales issues during the busy Christmas season.
The union and Starbucks have been negotiating since April. While some agreements were made this month, big disagreements over wages, scheduling, and working conditions remain.
The union warned that the strike could grow. It may include hundreds of stores by Tuesday, right before Christmas.
Starbucks operates over 35,000 stores worldwide. Around 16,000 of these are in the U.S., employing nearly 200,000 people. The company is under pressure to meet workers’ demands and avoid more store closures.
