PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – In a growing wave of labor activism, baristas from various metropolitan hubs, including Chicago, Los Angeles, and Seattle, are mobilizing against what they deem “unfair labor practices” by Starbucks.

Now, this movement is making its way to cities like Columbus, Ohio, and Pittsburgh, where local baristas are taking a stand.

On a chilly Saturday in Pittsburgh's Bloomfield neighborhood—where snowflakes were fluttering down, making the morning even colder—the mood was anything but frosty among the strikers.

“We’re rallying together as a community, and that warmth keeps us going,” said Ally Peters, the East Side shift supervisor.

Peters is part of the Starbucks Workers United group that organized a spirited picket outside their local Starbucks location, advocating for a fair contract and improved working conditions.

Since entering negotiations, the baristas have expressed frustration, alleging that Starbucks is not engaging in negotiations in good faith.

“We’ve sat down at the bargaining table for months, yet it feels like we’re not making any progress,” stated Peters.

This sentiment is echoed by her colleague, Jake Whitney, who emphasized the importance of their labor in driving the company's profits: “We want to demonstrate that without us— the workers— there is no Starbucks.”

With the holiday season fast approaching and five locations joining the strike, including notable spots like the Forbes and Atwood stores in Oakland and the East Side location, the stakes are high.

Their demands included a staggering 64% increase in minimum wage, along with a total wage increase of 77% over three years—changes that Starbucks has termed “unsustainable.”

The response from the local community has been overwhelming.

Supportive honks from passing cars and chants like “Get up! Get down! Pittsburgh is a union town!” filled the air, uplifting the spirits of the striking workers.

“It’s encouraging to witness so much local solidarity,” noted Whitney, as supporters raised clenched fists and even brought their pets adorned with pro-union pins.

Despite Starbucks' claims of investing over $3 billion in employee benefits over the past three years—offering competitive wages averaging $18 an hour alongside healthcare, tuition assistance, and paid family leave—the baristas argue that these enhancements are not enough.

They are demanding to see tangible changes that reflect their worth as essential workers within the company.

In a response to the ongoing strike, Starbucks spokesperson Phil Gee insisted that the company has been transparent in its commitment to employee welfare and labelled the striking workers’ wage demands as unrealistic.

The stakes are high as organizing leaders plan to escalate strikes in the days leading up to Christmas Eve unless their demands are met.

As the tensions rise, the future of Starbucks's labor relations hangs in the balance, challenging the company’s image and financial interests as they face off against their very own employees fighting for fairness.

Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as the baristas make their voices heard in a critical labor movement!