Starbucks union set up $1 million to cover lost wages for striking baristas and workers to give more strength to their fight for unity.
The financial support comes amid a nationwide recovery that has included workers at several Starbucks locations leaving the company and going on strike. In Boston, shop workers went on strike on Tuesday after being forced to work because of a water leak. In Columbia, South Carolina, workers fled the country for three days to protest accusations of retaliation against the union.
Once implemented, strike funds can result in more frequent and prolonged strikes because baristas don't have to worry about short-term financial consequences.
"This strike fund will enable all workers to take the necessary collective action to fight for fair contracts," said Richard Minter, director of the union's international organizing committee.
The Trade Union is a subsidiary of the International Trade Union, with about 2 million members. Its size nourishes access to crucial resources for Starbucks organizers dealing with the coffee shop chain that posted sales of $29.1 billion last fiscal year.
According to the National Labor Council, 100 Starbucks cafes voted to join the Labor Union on Tuesday. Only 14 seats voted against the merger, giving the union an 88% margin of victory. About 120 other seats are awaiting new elections or are voting.
Starbucks and its interim CEO, Howard Schultz, tried to limit union pressure. Last month the company declared it would increase wages and dual training for new employees but would not offer better benefits to cafe unions.
Starbucks also faces allegations of union collapse, which the company denies. According to the NLRB, Union workers have filed 175 complaints about unfair labor practices against coffee chains. In addition, the Labor Council has filed nine complaints of its own against Starbucks.
