Starbucks Workers Expand Strike in US Cities Including New York

Starbucks workers hold signs as they picket during a strike in front of a Starbucks to demand collective bargaining agreements in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
Starbucks workers hold signs as they picket during a strike in front of a Starbucks to demand collective bargaining agreements in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
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Starbucks Workers Expand Strike in US Cities Including New York

Starbucks workers hold signs as they picket during a strike in front of a Starbucks to demand collective bargaining agreements in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
Starbucks workers hold signs as they picket during a strike in front of a Starbucks to demand collective bargaining agreements in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (AFP)

Starbucks workers have expanded their strike to four more US cities, including New York, the union representing over 10,000 baristas said late on Saturday.

The five-day strike, which began on Friday and initially closed Starbucks cafes in Los Angeles, Chicago and Seattle, has added New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia and St. Louis, Workers United said in a statement. It did not say where the New Jersey walkout was occurring.

Starbucks did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside regular business hours.

Talks between the coffee chain and the union hit an impasse with unresolved issues over wages, staffing and schedules, leading to the strike.

The union is striking in 10 cities, also including Columbus, Denver and Pittsburgh, during the busy holiday season that may impact the company's Christmas sales.

Workers United warned on Friday that the strike could reach "hundreds of stores" by Tuesday, Christmas Eve.

Starbucks began negotiations with the union in April. It said this month it had conducted more than eight bargaining sessions, during which 30 agreements had been reached.

The company operates more than 11,000 stores in the United States, employing about 200,000 workers.



Saudi Arabia, Palestine Agree to Establish Business Council 

Chairman of the Federation of Saudi Chambers Hassan Moejeb Alhwaizy and Palestinian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Mazen Mohammed Rateb Ghanem meet in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
Chairman of the Federation of Saudi Chambers Hassan Moejeb Alhwaizy and Palestinian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Mazen Mohammed Rateb Ghanem meet in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Palestine Agree to Establish Business Council 

Chairman of the Federation of Saudi Chambers Hassan Moejeb Alhwaizy and Palestinian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Mazen Mohammed Rateb Ghanem meet in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
Chairman of the Federation of Saudi Chambers Hassan Moejeb Alhwaizy and Palestinian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Mazen Mohammed Rateb Ghanem meet in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)

Chairman of the Federation of Saudi Chambers Hassan Moejeb Alhwaizy and Palestinian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Mazen Mohammed Rateb Ghanem agreed in Riyadh on Tuesday to the establishment of the first Saudi-Palestinian Business Council.

The initiative aims to increase trade and investment between the two countries.

The private sector in the Kingdom aligns with the directives of the wise leadership in supporting the Palestinian people, remarked Alhwaizy.

He emphasized the importance of empowering Palestinian business owners to invest in the Kingdom and promote Palestinian products and industries in Saudi markets.

He underscored the Federation's support for organizing exhibitions and conferences to promote Palestinian products with the participation of the Saudi Chambers of Commerce.