Striking Starbucks Workers Urge Customers to Delete Coffee Chain's App as Labor Dispute Rages On
In a surprising twist, striking Starbucks baristas are now asking their customers to delete the company's popular mobile app in solidarity with their demands for a first union contract. The calls come after nearly three months of coordinated strikes by workers affiliated with Starbucks Workers United, which has grown to represent around 11,000 baristas at 576 stores across the US.
The strike, which began on November 13 last year, has been marked by rotating strikes and closures at various locations. However, the union's representatives have vowed to continue their fight for fair wages, stable hours, and an end to union busting practices.
"We're not asking for much," said KC Ihekwaba, a striking barista in Colorado. "We just want to work in a place where we can earn a living wage, have some stability in our schedules, and be treated with respect." The union claims that Starbucks has failed to deliver on these basic demands.
In recent weeks, workers affiliated with the union have won several contract negotiations at stores across the country. However, the overall strike remains ongoing, with around 1,000 baristas currently participating in pickets and rotating strikes.
Starbucks Workers United is now urging its customers to take action by deleting the company's mobile app from their phones. "When baristas get a fair contract," said Christi Gomoljak, a striking Starbucks barista in California, "you can reload the app on your phone and then finally use any gift cards you might have gotten during the holidays."
Labor union leaders are using the strike as an opportunity to highlight the broader issues at play. "This fight is about something way bigger than just coffee," said Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO. "It's about whether we as working people get to live with dignity in this world that we make possible."
Starbucks has attempted to downplay the strike and its impact, claiming that fewer than 1% of stores were ever affected. However, union representatives say that the situation is more complex than that.
"We see this as a positive step," said a Starbucks spokesperson, Jaci Anderson. "We hope it signals a willingness to return to the bargaining table." The company claims that there are already over 30 tentative agreements in place for new contract negotiations.
In a surprising twist, striking Starbucks baristas are now asking their customers to delete the company's popular mobile app in solidarity with their demands for a first union contract. The calls come after nearly three months of coordinated strikes by workers affiliated with Starbucks Workers United, which has grown to represent around 11,000 baristas at 576 stores across the US.
The strike, which began on November 13 last year, has been marked by rotating strikes and closures at various locations. However, the union's representatives have vowed to continue their fight for fair wages, stable hours, and an end to union busting practices.
"We're not asking for much," said KC Ihekwaba, a striking barista in Colorado. "We just want to work in a place where we can earn a living wage, have some stability in our schedules, and be treated with respect." The union claims that Starbucks has failed to deliver on these basic demands.
In recent weeks, workers affiliated with the union have won several contract negotiations at stores across the country. However, the overall strike remains ongoing, with around 1,000 baristas currently participating in pickets and rotating strikes.
Starbucks Workers United is now urging its customers to take action by deleting the company's mobile app from their phones. "When baristas get a fair contract," said Christi Gomoljak, a striking Starbucks barista in California, "you can reload the app on your phone and then finally use any gift cards you might have gotten during the holidays."
Labor union leaders are using the strike as an opportunity to highlight the broader issues at play. "This fight is about something way bigger than just coffee," said Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO. "It's about whether we as working people get to live with dignity in this world that we make possible."
Starbucks has attempted to downplay the strike and its impact, claiming that fewer than 1% of stores were ever affected. However, union representatives say that the situation is more complex than that.
"We see this as a positive step," said a Starbucks spokesperson, Jaci Anderson. "We hope it signals a willingness to return to the bargaining table." The company claims that there are already over 30 tentative agreements in place for new contract negotiations.
but at the same time, i get why they're doing it - it's not like they're asking customers to boycott coffee or anything 
. like, baristas are human beings too, you know? 
they deserve fair wages and respect. and yeah, the union's demands aren't that much to ask for... stable hours, a living wage, basic dignity 
. it's not like starbucks is just giving them all free coffee or anything 
️. but at the same time, i don't know if deleting the app is really going to make a huge difference... will customers even notice? 
and what's the point of having a gift card that can't be used if the company is just gonna give in anyway 
.
so like they r strikin starbucks and now they r askin ppl 2 delete the app lol what a move but idk if its gonna make a diff cuz like ppl still wanna get their coffee fix 
and i gotta say i'm kinda proud of them 4 standin up 4 what they believe in 
anyway lets keep an eye on this situation and see how it plays out 
they wanna work w/ stability & fair pay like who doesn't want that?? 
i think its so cool that they're organizing & making a change. they should be totes proud of themselves! 
and yeah, deleting the app is kinda low-key genius lol, shows u r serious about it. but seriously, dont @ me if ur gonna go out & support them cuz they deserve it 
I feel for those baristas who just wanna have a stable job and earn a living wage... it's not easy, you know? 
Dealing with strike and union busting can be super frustrating & demotivating 
. But on the other hand, I think this is a great example of workers taking matters into their own hands and demanding respect from their employers 
. It's amazing to see so many baristas coming together and fighting for a fair contract 
. Let's hope they get what they're asking for and can go back to making delicious coffee without all the stress 
.
Even if I support the striking Starbucks workers, it's annoying to see all these commercial links ruining my browsing experience 
And what's up with the app deletion thing? Like, I get that they're trying to make a point, but who has time to delete an entire app just because some baristas are on strike? 
they've been striking for ages now and it's actually kinda inspiring to see people standing up for what they believe in 
. The fact that only 1% of stores were affected is a total understatement btw 
.
Starbucks is a huge corporation with millions of customers, but the workers who make it all happen are still getting ripped off. 11,000 baristas deserve better than to work long hours for minimal pay and no job security 
they deserve fair wages and respect, but starbucks is basically like "hey workers do this or we'll fire you" 
but honestly its kinda cool that theyr taking a stand like fair wages and stable hours shouldnt be too much to ask rn and those union reps are straight fire 
"we just want to work in a place where we can earn a living wage" ayy yeah yeah 
? Like, I get it, they wanna be treated right, but deleting the app as a form of protest is just low 
. I mean, if Starbucks is really struggling to pay its workers, maybe it's time for them to re-evaluate their whole business model? This is all just about union busting and control 
. These strikin baristas sound cool, tho 
they think they can just exploit their workers and make them work like machines without any care or respect for them... Like, what even is the point of having a mobile app if you're just gonna force people to delete it in solidarity with the strike? I mean, I get it, the baristas deserve better pay and working conditions, but can't they just negotiate like normal companies do? It's all so frustrating 
meanwhile i was just at the starbucks down the street and the barista seemed super nice and stuff but idk if that matters now idk how many ppl really use the app anyway i mean its just coffee lol i guess its kinda cool that the union is trying to make a point tho like we should be treated with respect and all that jazz 
But deleting the app seems like a big ask, you know?