Starbucks employees at hundreds of US stores walkout on Red Cup day
Starbucks Workers Walk Off the Job During Red Cup Day Event
(Reuters) – Workers at hundreds of Starbucks (SBUX.O) stores have walked off their jobs during a key promotional event on Thursday, demanding improved staffing and schedules, the Workers United said on social media platform X.
The walkout comes on the coffee chain’s Red Cup Day event, during which Starbucks hands out free red-colored, reusable, holiday-themed cups to customers on their coffee purchases.
Starbucks said on Thursday its stores in the United States were “open”, adding that “a few dozen stores with some partners (were) on strike”, but more than half of those stores were open this morning, “serving customers”.
About a dozen workers picketed outside Starbucks’ Astor Place outlet at the New York University’s campus chanting “no contract, no coffee” and other rhymes. Meanwhile, the Astor Place continued to fill with NYU staff and students placing orders.
Red Cup day has typically been a major driver of store traffic, with Placer.ai data showing that visits to U.S. Starbucks stores on the day last year jumped 94% over the daily average for the full year.
Workers United, which represents more than 9,000 Starbucks employees at about 360 U.S. stores, has said the event was one of the “most infamously hard, understaffed days”, as drink orders pile up and employees end up on the receiving end of abuse from frustrated customers over long wait times.
Mary Boca, 22, Astor Place, New York barista, said she wants to see higher pay and more staff at Starbucks.
“I have heard our managers saying they need to hire 12 people. At a peak period, that’s a lot of people to be out of.”
Boca said that her Starbucks location does not allow customers to tip, which leaves her without an extra $100 in each paycheck.
Edwin Palma Solis, 24, worker at Astor Place, said he thinks the inability for customers to tip at the store has deterred some potential hires from joining the location.
Starbucks has nearly 10,000 U.S. company-owned locations, and according to the company less than 3% of those stores are represented by a union.
Last year, workers at more than 100 U.S. company-owned Starbucks locations had held a one-day strike on Red Cup day.
Earlier this month, Starbucks said it would raise hourly pay for its U.S. retail workers by at least 3% from 2024, which employees criticized, calling it “tone deaf” given Starbucks’ 11% increase in fourth-quarter revenue and the recent wage hikes won by auto workers.
Reporting by Granth Vanaik in Bengaluru and Arriana McLymore in New York City; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli
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How may the walkout on Red Cup Day impact Starbucks’ ability to handle the surge in customer demands during this promotional event
Title: Starbucks Workers Demand Improved Staffing and Schedules During Red Cup Day Event
Introduction:
Starbucks, the renowned global coffee chain, faced disruption as workers at hundreds of its stores walked off the job during the highly anticipated Red Cup Day event. The workers, demanding improved staffing and schedules, voiced their concerns about the challenging working conditions they face. This article explores the reasons behind the walkout and sheds light on the impact it may have on both Starbucks’ operations and its customers.
Walkout on Red Cup Day:
On the day that Starbucks traditionally distributes free red-colored, reusable, holiday-themed cups to customers, workers from various locations chose to protest. The walkout, organized by the Workers United group, aimed to draw attention to the need for enhanced staffing and better schedules. Social media platform X was used as a platform for sharing information about the strike.
Starbucks’ Response:
Starbucks responded to the walkout by stating that its stores in the United States were open and operating as usual. However, the company acknowledged that a few dozen stores had experienced employee strikes, although more than half of those stores remained opened, serving customers. The presence of picket lines and protests outside Starbucks stores reflected the determination of the workers to make their voices heard.
Impact on Red Cup Day:
Red Cup Day has historically been a significant driver of foot traffic for Starbucks. Last year, data from Placer.ai revealed a staggering 94% increase in visits to U.S. Starbucks stores on this day compared to the daily average for the year. Therefore, the walkout may have affected the company’s ability to handle the surge in customer demands during this promotional event.
WorkersUnited’s Perspective:
Workers United, the organization representing over 9,000 Starbucks employees at approximately 360 U.S. stores, highlighted the challenging nature of Red Cup Day. The event places increased pressure on workers, leading to longer queues and frustrated customers. Employees often suffer abuse due to the extended wait times. Workers United argues that higher pay and additional staff are necessary to address these issues and improve working conditions.
Voices from the Picket Line:
Workers at Starbucks’ Astor Place outlet in New York University’s campus gathered outside, chanting slogans like “no contract, no coffee.” Despite the protest, customers, including NYU staff and students, continued to place orders inside the store. Workers expressed frustration about the lack of tipping at their location, emphasizing how this affects their income. Without the ability to receive tips, the workers feel financially disadvantaged.
Conclusion:
The walkout by Starbucks workers during the notable Red Cup Day event has highlighted the urgency for the coffee chain to address workers’ concerns regarding staffing and scheduling. As Starbucks relies heavily on events like Red Cup Day to attract customers, the disruption caused by the walkout should serve as a wake-up call for the company to prioritize the welfare and demands of its employees. By improving working conditions, offering fair compensation, and ensuring adequate staffing levels, Starbucks can not only improve employee morale but also enhance customer experience, contributing to the continued success of the brand.
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