((Automated translation by Reuters, please see disclaimer https://bit.ly/rtrsauto))
Starbucks SBUX.O employees have extended their strike to four additional American cities, including New York, the union representing more than 10,000 baristas announced late Saturday.
The five-day strike, which began Friday and initially closed Starbucks coffee shops in Los Angeles, Chicago and Seattle, has spread to New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia and St. Louis, Workers United said in a press release. The organization did not say where the walkout was taking place in New Jersey.
Starbucks did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside of business hours.
Negotiations between the coffee chain and the union reached an impasse due to unresolved issues regarding wages, staffing and hours, leading to the strike.
The union is striking in ten cities, including Columbus, Denver and Pittsburgh, during the holiday season, which is likely to impact the company's Christmas sales.
Workers United warned Friday that the strike could affect “hundreds of stores” by Tuesday, Christmas Eve.
Starbucks began negotiations with the union in April. It said this month it had conducted more than eight deal sessions, during which 30 deals were concluded.
The company operates more than 11,000 stores in the United States and employs approximately 200,000 people.
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