Worcester Starbucks Workers To Picket Over Wages, Benefits

WORCESTER, MA — Workers at a recently unionized Starbucks store in Worcester planned to picket on Monday as part of a larger demonstration over wages and benefits across Starbucks coffee shops in Massachusetts.

Monday's demonstration comes as Seattle-based Starbucks plans to increase wages and other benefits at stores across the nation — but not at stores that have unionized. The Worcester workers also want the company to begin negotiating a contract with them.

The workers at the East Central Street Starbucks store in Worcester voted 39 to zero to unionize on June 3. Stores in Brookline, Westford and Boston also voted to unionize that day.

The Boston Starbucks Workers United union tweeted about Monday's demonstrations and said they would take place at stores in Boston, Brookline, Watertown and Worcester, plus in-store "sip-ins" in Reading and Gardner.

"Baristas throughout Massachusetts are taking action in response to the national benefits rollout excluding organizing and unionized partners. Whether you’re in Boston, Worcester, or Reading, show up and support your local baristas!" the union said.

Monday's picket in Worcester will last from 9 a.m. to noon, according to the union.