Starbucks Union set to vote on strike authorization

Core Viewpoint - Starbucks workers are set to vote on authorizing a strike, which could disrupt CEO Brian Nichol's turnaround plans for the company [1] Group 1: Strike Authorization and Union Demands - Voting on the strike will begin tomorrow and will be open for several days, with the potential for an open-ended strike if approved [1] - Workers United is advocating for a contract that includes better hours, higher take-home pay, and resolution of numerous outstanding unfair labor practice charges, although specific pay figures are not disclosed [2] - Currently, there are no active negotiations between Starbucks and the union, following a mediation process last spring that resulted in the union rejecting a proposal from Starbucks in April [2] Group 2: Company Response and Financial Context - Starbucks stated that Workers United represents only about 4% of its workforce and expressed willingness to resume negotiations if the union is ready [3] - The company is experiencing negative same-store sales for six consecutive quarters, highlighting the importance of the upcoming earnings report and the effectiveness of the turnaround plan under CEO Brian Nichol [3] - The holiday season typically boosts sales for Starbucks, which may be impacted by the potential strike [3] Group 3: Potential Impact of the Strike - If a strike occurs, the specifics regarding duration, location, and timing remain undetermined, making it unclear how many stores will be affected [4] - There are 650 unionized stores among Starbucks' 18,000 licensed and company-operated stores in the US and Canada, indicating that while the unionized workforce is small, it could still have a meaningful impact [5][6]