Starbucks barista strike expands to 300 locations: union

NEW YORK, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- A Starbucks Corp. barista strike will spread to more than 300 cafes, Bloomberg News on Tuesday cited its worker union, disrupting service at locations nationwide during the final days of the crucial holiday shopping season.

Over 5,000 workers in cities including Boston, New York and Philadelphia will join the work stoppage on Tuesday, according to an emailed statement from Starbucks Workers United. Elected officials, including Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, have also joined striking baristas on the picket line over previous days, with the union asking for further support on its last scheduled day of action.

The walkouts began on Dec. 20 at a handful of locations in Chicago, Los Angeles and Seattle and escalated over the following days. About 60 stores were shut down due to strikes as of Monday, the coffee chain said.

"The overwhelming number" of Starbucks' more than 10,000 company-operated stores in the United States remained open as usual, and the "vast majority" will continue to do so, the chain said in a statement posted on the company's website on Monday.

"Starbucks Workers United planned the walkouts to coincide with the days leading up to Christmas. It's an important time for Starbucks as shoppers treat themselves to lattes while finishing up their holiday shopping. In addition to beverages, the company sells a large volume of gift cards during the year's final months," noted the report.