More than 1,000 baristas at 100 Starbucks stores were planning to take part in a three-day strike starting Friday as part of their effort to unionize the coffee chain.
It was the second such walkout by Starbucks workers in less than a month. Workers at more than 100 stores in 25 states went on strike November 17th—Starbucks’ annual “Red Cup Day,” when the company gives free reusable cups to customers who order a holiday drink.
Starbucks, which is comprised of some 9,000 company-run stores across the U.S., opposes the efforts to unionize. The coffee giant says its company functions better when it works directly with employees. However, Starbucks has also said that it respects its employees’ lawful right to protest.
Since efforts to unionize began late last year, Starbucks Workers United said it has won votes at some 270 Starbucks stores.
According to Workers United, Starbucks recently closed the first store to unionize in Seattle, where the company is headquartered. Starbucks has said the store was closed for safety reasons.
Starbucks and the union have begun contract talks in about 50 stores but no agreements have been reached.
