Starbucks Reportedly Reaches Out To Union: A Fresh Start For Worker Relations In New Year?

Starbucks Corporation SBUX has reportedly reached out to the union representing hundreds of its stores in the U.S. as the coffee-chain behemoth plans to improve its strained association with some of its frontline workers.

The union represents over 9,000 Starbucks workers at about 360 U.S. stores and has recommended the coffee giant to implement better pay, staffing, and schedules, according to a news report by Reuters.

Last month, Starbucks communicated to Reuters via email that there had been over five months of inactivity in contract bargaining from the Workers United union.

"I am writing you in the hope that Workers United and Starbucks can find a way to resume bargaining at the earliest possible time," Starbucks Chief Partner Officer Sara Kelly said in a letter addressed to Workers United President Lynne Fox, noted by Reuters.

Kelly offered that the bargaining with a set of representative stores resume in January 2024, the report read.

"We are open to hearing other ideas and rules of engagement on how bargaining could proceed," the letter said, adding that the current impasse has not helped either the company or the union, Reuters added.

Workers United's Fox said in a statement to Reuters, "We have never said no to meeting with Starbucks. Anything that moves bargaining forward in a positive way is most welcome."

Starbucks has nearly 10,000 U.S. company-owned locations, and has less than 3% of those stores are represented by a union, the note read.

Price Action: SBUX shares are trading higher by 0.23% to $96.66 on the last check Friday.

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Photo Via Company