Starbucks store closings: 59 unionized locations on doomed list in coffee chain restructuring

"On the heels of Starbucks' recent announcement it will be cutting 900 corporate roles and closing 1% of its Northern American stores by the end of 2025 (after accounting for both new openings and closures), Starbucks Workers United said Tuesday that 59 of those locations marked for closure are unionized locations. Starbucks Workers United, the worker-led effort to unionize Starbucks baristas, represents 12,000 baristas in 45 states and Washington D.C., across more than 650 cafes."

""While we remain outraged at how callously Starbucks handled these closures, we are proud that we have forced the company to make this process fairer for impacted union baristas," said Starbucks Workers United spokesperson Michelle Eisen. "These measures to support baristas show the power and strength of our union. We remain focused on organizing stores and demanding Starbucks settle a fair union contract that improves hours and staffing, increases take-home pay, and resolves unfair labor practices.""

"Representatives from Starbucks and Starbucks Workers United declined to share details about the fate of specific locations. Reached for comment, a Starbucks spokesperson told Fast Company: "Given the industry-leading offer provided to all affected partners - including reassignment opportunities where possible as well as generous severance - we were able to quickly reach an agreement with Workers United to similarly help represented partners through this transition. This reflects our commitment to partner care.""

Starbucks will cut 900 corporate roles and close 1% of its North American stores by the end of 2025, after accounting for openings and closures. Starbucks Workers United reported that 59 of the locations marked for closure are unionized. Starbucks Workers United represents 12,000 baristas across more than 650 cafes in 45 states and Washington D.C. The closures form part of a $1 billion restructuring called Back to Starbucks, intended to address declining sales and brand-image damage. Starbucks and union representatives declined to disclose specific store fates. Affected baristas will be offered reassignment opportunities or generous severance, or transfers to new locations.

Read at Fast Company