Sara Kelly, Starbucks executive vice president and chief partner officer, shared the following message with Starbucks partners (employees):

Dear partners, 

Workers United has voted to authorize a strike. I want to share an update on where things stand and provide some context. 

Hopefully Workers United does not actually decide to move forward with strike action but if they do, I think it is important we remember that fewer than 4% of our green apron partners work in coffeehouses represented by Workers United and that over 10,000 company operated coffeehouses and nearly 7,000 licensed locations will remain open and serving customers.  

Our commitment to bargaining 

For months, we were at the bargaining table, working in good faith with Workers United and delegates from across the country to reach agreements that make sense for partners and for the long-term success of Starbucks. We reached more than 30 tentative agreements on full contract articles. 

Our commitment to bargaining hasn’t changed. Workers United walked away from the table but if they are ready to come back, we’re ready to talk. We believe we can move quickly to a reasonable deal.  

We know pay and benefits are important. That’s why Starbucks offers the best overall wage and benefits package in retail, worth on average $30 per hour for hourly partners. Our benefits – including comprehensive healthcare, 100% tuition coverage for a four-year college degree, and up to 18 weeks paid family leave – are available even when working part time, beginning at an average of 20 hours per week.  

Despite this, Workers United proposes pay increases of 65% immediately and 77% over three years with additional payments on top of this for almost every aspect of the job including for working within three hours of opening or closing, for working on the weekend, for receiving inventory, or on a day when Starbucks runs a promotion.  Some of the proposals would significantly affect store operations and customer experience, including the ability to shut down channels like Mobile Order when there are just five orders in the queue. These aren’t serious, evidence-based proposals.   

The best job in retail 

We’re proud to employ more than 240,000 partners in over 10,000 company operated coffeehouses across the U.S.  We already offer the best job in retail, and we are taking steps to make it even better.  

As we get Back to Starbucks, and invest in Green Apron Service, we’ve focused on what matters most to partners: 

• Support: We’re investing $500M in green apron partner hours so that we have more partners on the roster, more help during busy shifts, and technology that makes work easier. 

• Career growth: We’re committed to promoting from within for 90% of retail leadership roles, and developing the training and support needed to make this a reality.  

• More hours and better schedules: 85% of partners now get their preferred hours, and our shifts are more consistent and fully covered than ever before. 

• Flexibility: Tools that make it easy to pick up shifts when and where you want.  

You can read more about our comprehensive package of partner benefits and perks an About.Starbucks 

People like working at Starbucks 

The facts show people like working at Starbucks. Our turnover is at record lows – about half the industry average. And based on our latest surveys, a growing majority of partners recommend Starbucks as a great place to work. That’s why we get more than 1 million applications a year in the U.S. from people hoping to put on the green apron and work at Starbucks.   

Thank you for your partnership 

Our momentum is building. At coffeehouses across the country, you can see and feel positive energy. The investments we have made – and the changes we’ve implemented in partnership with our green apron partners – are making a difference to both the partner and customer experience. Together, we’re building a green wave. 

The care and connection you provide are what defines Starbucks, especially as we get ready for the holidays. Thank you for all you are doing at this busy time.  

We’ll share more information when we have it.  

Your partner, 
Sara