(Updated at 10:25 a.m.) The employees at the Courthouse Starbucks have gone on strike, days after unionizing.
The reason for the strike, per Starbucks employee and union member Samuel Dukore, is that the company is not negotiating “in good faith” when it comes to a contract.
“Starbucks has been dragging its feet coming to the negotiation table,” Dukore told ARLnow, outside of the Starbucks at Courthouse Plaza, near county government headquarters. “And even when they do, their lawyers stand up after like a minute and a half or so and just leave. And that is not negotiating in good faith.”
Unionized employees are asking for better pay, more staffing, and more concern over the health and safety of workers.
It appears that the employees are among the more than 1,000 Starbucks employees that have reportedly gone on strike today, on one of the company’s busiest days.
RED CUP REBELLION.
OVER 100 STARBUCKS STORES ARE ON STRIKE TODAY. #redcuprebellion
— Starbucks Workers United (@SBWorkersUnited) November 17, 2022
Earlier this month, on Election Day, Courthouse employees voted to become the third D.C.-area Starbucks to unionize (behind one in D.C. and in Merrifield) and the first in Arlington. The employees have joined Starbucks Workers United.
The Starbucks in Courthouse Plaza remains open. It currently appeared well-staffed with un-unionized employees and managers, and a greeter at the door welcoming customers.