(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- On one of Starbucks’ busiest days of the year, unionized workers at five stores in northern Illinois were on strike, in what they called their Red Cup Rebellion.
Workers out in front of the store at Clark and Ridge bundled up for their coldest strike day thus far as they held signs that read “no contract no coffee.” One worker hoisted a homemade green mermaid on a stick.
Kjersti Cooper has worked at the store near the busy intersection since April of last year.
She and her fellow members of Workers United hope their third strike since unionizing in May gets attention on Red Cup Day, when the chain gives out free holiday cups.
Workers United and corporate negotiators can’t even seem to agree on bargaining terms.
Shift Supervisor Teddy Hoffman says their last talks didn’t happen because of a dispute over the union having some organizers participate remotely, prompting the corporate representatives to walk out, he and others say.
Barista Erin Briggs is hopeful the newly passed Workers Rights Amendment in Illinois will help them in talks.
Five union-certified stores in Chicago and eight across the state are hoping to increase staffing levels as well as win guaranteed hours, better wages paid leave and more.
Starbucks has said it is willing to talk with the newly organized workers.
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