Starbucks Union Excluded From Planned Pay Increase

Starbucks has announced plans for global expansion and increased wages for its workers. However, some of the new perks will only be available to baristas who have not joined a union. This move comes despite a previous ruling by a National Labor Relations Board judge who found that Starbucks had violated federal labor law with similar measures.

The allocation of perks and benefits among Starbucks workers is one of the core issues in the ongoing dispute between the company and union organizers nationwide. Despite increased wages and benefits, this recent decision has further intensified the debate over workers’ rights within the company.

According to The Associated Press, “At least 366 U.S. Starbucks stores have voted to unionize since 2021, according to the National Labor Relations Board. But Starbucks and the Workers United union have yet to reach a labor agreement at any of those stores. Starbucks has 9,600 company-operated stores in the U.S.”

The new changes, effective Jan. 1, will allow employees to accrue more vacation time sooner. Additionally, there will be an annual 3% pay increase for all eligible employees at Starbucks’ company-operated U.S. stores.

Employees with two to five years of experience at the company will receive at least a 4% increase, and those with over five years of service will see their pay rise by at least 5%.

Unionized employees won’t be left out. They will receive whatever pay increases were agreed upon last year, which means many will also benefit from the 3% or 4% hike and some even the 5% increase. However, Starbucks won’t offer new pay increases or enhancements to vacation benefits to unionized workers unless they are compelled to do so after collective bargaining negotiations.

Despite their union status, all employees should enjoy better scheduling. This is part of a company initiative aiming to provide workers with the hours they prefer based on their feedback.

Starbucks appealed the National Labor Relations Board’s ruling that occurred last September and shows no sign of backing down now.