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(Added Starbucks comment to paragraphs 3-4)
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, the Workers union said United in a statement. The organization did not specify in which New Jersey city the walkout was taking place.
Starbucks said the disruptions from the strike did not have a significant impact on its business because only a small handful of U.S. stores were affected.
“Workers United's proposals call for an immediate increase in minimum wage for hourly partners by 64% and 77% over the life of a three-year contract. This is not sustainable,” the coffee chain said.
The union is striking in ten cities, including Columbus, Ohio, Denver and Pittsburgh, during the busy holiday season, which could impact the company's Christmas sales.
The company operates more than 11,000 stores in the United States and employs approximately 200,000 people.
Talks between Starbucks and the union reached an impasse due to unresolved issues regarding wages, staffing and hours, leading to the strike.
The Workers United union 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.
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