Starbucks staff in US begin three-day strike as contract talks sour

Organisers have been pushing Starbucks for better pay and protections against benefit cuts, among other things

The walkout underlines the rising tension between the coffee giant and its union employees.

Starbucks baristas at 50 locations throughout the US are starting a three-day strike on Friday, saying the company is not bargaining fairly with recently unionised stores.

Organisers say the planned strike will involve more than 1,000 workers, making it the biggest multiday work stoppage ever by Starbucks Workers United, the labour group that has prevailed in elections at about 270 of the chain’s cafés this year.