Starbucks in the U.S. faces massive strike ahead of Christmas Day

Starbucks, the largest coffee chain in the U.S., is facing a major strike ahead of Christmas Day.

Starbucks Workers United, which represents 520 U.S. store employees, said it would go on strike from its Los Angeles, Chicago and Seattle stores if negotiations with the company were not finalized.

It also said it planned to gradually increase strike stores by Christmas Eve, and warned it could reach hundreds nationwide.

The union agreed to labor-management negotiations earlier this year, claiming that the management promised to raise wages and improve working conditions, but has not kept them until now.

In response, the company said in a statement that it was ready to continue negotiating to reach an agreement.

The company recently opposed an immediate wage increase and reportedly proposed a plan to raise 1.5% over the next few years.

The company added that it is already offering free college tuition and paid family leave worth $30 an hour to baristas who work more than 20 hours a week.

The Starbucks Workers' Union' voted for a strike on the 17th with 98% approval.

Starbucks workers have been demanding higher wages and better working conditions since December 2021.