Starbucks Workers At 2 Mercer Stores Join Nationwide Strike

MERCER COUNTY, NJ – Workers from two Starbucks stores in Mercer County hit the picket line on Wednesday to demand “livable wages” and consistent scheduling.

Baristas from the Hamilton and Hopewell Starbucks went on strike from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. The strike coincides with Starbucks celebrating outgoing CEO Howard Schultz with Founders Day in Seattle.

The worker's strike has been planned alongside employees of over 100 stores across the country, organizers said. Baristas are demanding livable wages, consistent scheduling, safe and respectful workplaces, and the right to organize without fear and intimidation.

The strike, which comes ahead of Starbucks’s annual general meeting, is also meant to spotlight the company’s alleged anti-union retaliation.

Baristas from the Montclair store are also joining the strike.

On their part, Starbucks denied all allegations made against them.

"Rather than publicizing rallies, we encourage Workers United to live up to their obligations by responding to our proposed sessions and meeting us in-person to move the good faith bargaining process forward,” a spokesperson from Starbucks told Patch.

Responding to the strike in NJ, Gov. Phil Murphy said baristas deserve a "seat at the bargaining table."

"Everyone should have a voice in their workplace," Murphy said on Twitter.

The National Labor Review Board received several complaints from workers alleging union-busting tactics by the beverage giant.

Last week, U.S. senators Cory Booker and Bob Menendez wrote to Starbucks CEO, asking him to “stop delaying negotiations” with four unionized stores in NJ, including Hopewell and Hamilton.

In their letter to Schultz, the Senators urged the company to negotiate in “good faith” with the workers, as required by the National Labor Relations Act.

Booker and Menendez noted that it’s been nearly a year since the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) certified the first New Jersey union at a Starbucks store in Hopewell. Since then, despite Starbucks’ alleged “anti-union behavior” three other stores in the state have voted to unionize.

However, the company is “yet to form a first contract” with the employees. More: NJ Senators Urge Starbucks To Speed Up Talks With Mercer Union Stores

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