Starbucks baristas are growing fast unfair labor practices strike is expected to hit record levels Tuesday with hundreds of stores across the country get ready to join the coffee giant outings.

The Starbucks Workers United strike, driven by failed union contract negotiations, began Friday and is expected to continue to increase through the holiday, which may affect more than 300 stores nationwide, according to Workers United.

Baristas in Boston, Philadelphia, Portland and Tucson walked out on Monday, joining already-striking co-workers in Chicago, Columbus, Denver, Los Angeles, New York, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Seattle and St. Louis.

“The holiday season should be magical at Starbucks, but for too many of us, there’s a darker side to peppermint mochas and gingerbread lattes,” wrote Arloa Fluhr, an Illinois bargaining agent. , in a statement. “I’m a mother of three, including my daughter who is diabetic. I know what it’s like to panic because my hours have been cut, I won’t be able to pay my bills, and I could lose access to health care, including of my daughter. insulin is why we are steadfast in our demands for Starbucks to invest in baristas like me.”

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Baristas picket outside a Starbucks in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (Reuters / Reuters Photos)

United Workers reported that Starbucks backtracked on earlier commitments, proposing in December an economic package with no pay increases for union baristas and a guarantee of just 1.5% in the coming years.

Baristas picket outside a Starbucks in Los Angeles, California on December 23, 2024. (Reuters / Reuters Photos)

The increase would be less than 50 cents an hour for most baristas, according to the union.

Elected officials joined workers on the picket line Sunday, including Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey and New York City Comptroller Brad Lander.

Sara Kelly, executive vice president and chief partner officer at Starbucks, announced a statement noting throughout the strikes, only “a very small number of stores” were temporarily closed.

Only about 170 Starbucks stores did not open as planned coffee chain he told FOX Business on Tuesday. With more than 10,000 stores operated by the company, 98% of stores and more than 200,000 employees continued to serve customers.

A barista holds a picket sign outside a Starbucks in Los Angeles, California on December 23, 2024. (Reuters / Reuters Photos)

“The vast majority of Starbucks stores across the country have opened as planned and are busy with customers enjoying the holidays,” Kelly wrote in the statement. “Some of the stores that were temporarily closed at the start of the weekend have reopened as members try to get back to work.”

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The company said it offers a competitive average wage of more than $18 an hour and “best-in-class benefits,” including health care, free university registrationpaid family leave and company stock grants.

“No other retailer offers this kind of comprehensive pay and benefits package,” Kelly wrote. “Workers United’s proposals call for an immediate increase in the minimum hourly wage for members by 64%, and by 77% over the life of a three-year contract. These proposals are not sustainable, especially when the investments we continually make to our total The benefits package is what sets us apart as an employer and what makes us proud to work at Starbucks.”

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Starbucks says it was the union that decided to walk away from bargaining last week.

“We are ready to continue negotiations when the union returns to the bargaining table,” according to the statement.