Starbucks baristas and union leaders protested outside the company’s SoDo headquarters Monday in response to recent store closures that left workers without jobs or transfers to other locations.
Starbucks recently closed 28 stores in Washington, including nine in Seattle. The closures included the Seattle Reserve Roastery and SoDo Reserve Store, resulting in approximately 900 employee layoffs, according to Starbucks Workers United.
“It’s crazy to wake up and learn from social media that you lost your job before your company tells you,” said Trent Lytle-Hogue, a barista at the Reserve Roastery for two years. “Family was texting asking if I’m OK and I barely knew a thing from the 5-minute prerecorded call. Thankfully, our union were the people who cared, who worked to get us more information, who immediately bargained for better severance. Our rally is, ‘An injury to one is an injury to all!’ So Starbucks better be ready for massive actions, even strikes, if they’re not going to finish the contract.”
Starbucks reported sales declines for six consecutive financial quarters.
Starbucks Workers United previously led a late September protest citing understaffing, low pay, and retaliation for union organizing. The gathering followed multiple unfair labor practice charges filed against the company.
The charges were filed after two specific instances: when three union organizers at the Seattle Roastery and SoDo Reserve Starbucks were fired, and when Starbucks refused to place Georgetown location baristas at nearby stores during a temporary remodel suspending work. Starbucks leadership allegedly told Georgetown employees they are “welcome to seek public assistance” to compensate for lost wages.
“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 Michelle Eisen, Starbucks Workers United spokesperson and 15-year barista. “These measures to support baristas show the power and strength of our union.”
The rally occurred at Starbucks’ corporate headquarters at 2401 Utah Avenue S. The protest highlights ongoing tensions between the Seattle-based coffee giant and unionized workers as the company restructures operations amid financial challenges.
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