Starbucks Workers Expand Strike

(Reuters) – Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) workers have expanded their strike to four more U.S. cities, including New York, as announced by the union representing over 10,000 baristas on Saturday.

The five-day strike, which started on Friday, initially closed Starbucks cafes in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Seattle. The strike has now included New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia, and St. Louis, according to Workers United. The exact location of the New Jersey walkout remains unspecified.

Starbucks did not provide an immediate comment outside of regular business hours.

Negotiations between the coffee chain and the union have reached an impasse due to unresolved issues regarding wages, staffing, and schedules, which led to the strike.

The union is currently striking in 10 cities, including Columbus (WA:CLC), Denver, and Pittsburgh, during the busy holiday season, potentially impacting the company’s Christmas sales.

Workers United issued a warning on Friday that the strike could extend to “hundreds of stores” by Tuesday, Christmas Eve.

Starbucks began negotiations with the union back in April and stated that it has held more than eight bargaining sessions this month, resulting in 30 agreements reached.

The company operates over 11,000 stores in the United States, employing around 200,000 workers.