Starbucks workers at almost a dozen stores in Columbus went on strike over the weekend and on Monday.
About a dozen people picketed outside a Worthington Starbucks store, joining hundreds of other store employees around the country. Baristas are protesting unfair labor practices they say Starbucks is committing as the company and unions negotiate agreements on pay increases.
Ruby Walters works at the West Fifth Avenue Starbucks near Grandview Heights. Walters says 11 stores in Columbus have at least some, if not all, workers participating in the strike.
"All Starbucks workers have a very similar experience of the company not affording them enough resources that they need, not only just like to take home and improve their lives, but like literally on the job," Walters said. "So as far as I'm concerned, what we're fighting for isn't just for us. It's for all Starbucks workers across the country."
Walters was one of about a dozen people on the corner of North High Street and Wilson Bridge Road. Many held signs saying "worker power" or "honk 4 striking baristas." A lot of cars moving through the busy intersection did honk in support.
Besides Columbus, the strike is happening in other cities including Los Angeles, Seattle, Pittsburgh and Chicago.
The strike has been going on since Saturday in Columbus and since Friday in other cities. Walters said the strike will last through Christmas Day, when employees intend to report back to work unconditionally.
The strike coincides with the baristas’ unions filing a new unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board alleging Starbucks “refused to bargain and engaged in bad faith bargaining” over economic issues.
Starbucks did not respond to a request for comment.
