Photo: Chaiel Schaffel/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Starbucks workers union expanded its strike to more than 300 locations nationwide as of Tuesday morning.
One of the affected locations is the Starbucks on Washington Street in Brighton.
Tuesday was the last day of the planned strike, ending just before Christmas.
“Starbucks refuses to come to the table with suitable proposals for the contract, and work with us as we are in bargaining sessions,” said Andy Gonzalez-Piloto, a barista at Starbucks in Brighton.
The two sides are still miles apart on wage increases and negotiations. A Starbucks location in Worcester is also closed because of the strikes.
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Some of the reasons for the strikes include disagreements between the union and the company on wage increases, staffing, and inconsistent hours.
“How can anybody sustain, staying in a career when you have no idea when you are going to be scheduled week to week?” Gonzalez-Piloto added.
Despite the cold temperatures in the area this week, Gonzalez-Piloto said that they are staying warm and making it work.
Starbucks said in a statement that “we are ready to continue negotiations when the union comes back to the bargaining table.”
WBZ NewsRadio's Chaiel Schaffel (@CSchaffelWBZ) reports