Starbucks workers in the United States are planning a walkout at hundreds of stores in protest of the company’s treatment of its employees. The walkout, organized by Starbucks Workers United, is set to take place on one of the busiest days of the year for the coffee chain. The union and Starbucks have been engaged in a dispute over issues such as pay and scheduling. Approximately 200 stores are expected to be affected by the work stoppage on November 16th.
The protest is the second of its kind to coincide with Starbucks’ annual ‘Red Cup’ day, during which the company distributes holiday-themed cups. Some locations will only be closed for a few hours, while others may remain closed for the entire day. The union aims to draw attention to Starbucks’ refusal to negotiate fair contracts with its unionized stores. Workers are also protesting against inadequate staffing on promotional days.
Barista Michelle Eisen, one of the union’s leaders, believes that this year’s walkout will be more impactful than previous ones, with more customers and community activists expected to join the action. She emphasized the importance of Starbucks’ reputation and the potential consequences for the company if it fails to address the workers’ concerns.
Starbucks, which operates around 10,000 stores in the US, has stated that it does not anticipate significant disruptions due to the walkout. The company claims to have invested substantial amounts of money in higher wages, training, and new equipment. It also blames the union for delays in negotiations and points to successful negotiations at several stores in Canada.
Since 2021, workers at approximately 350 of Starbucks’ US locations have voted to join the union. Starbucks has vehemently opposed the union campaign, allegedly engaging in tactics such as firing workers and closing stores to impede the movement. Administrative law judges have found that the company has violated labor laws on multiple occasions. Starbucks, however, denies any wrongdoing and typically appeals these findings.
The Starbucks union campaign has garnered significant attention and is credited with inspiring workers at other companies to organize and demand better working conditions. Despite witnessing other unions achieve significant wage increases, Michelle Eisen acknowledges that the fight for workers’ rights at Starbucks continues to be challenging.
Original news source: Starbucks faces walkout at hundreds of US stores (BBC)
Listen
Slow
Normal
Fast
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– News Summary
Instructions: Students will work in pairs to summarize the article in their own words, focusing on the main points. Each pair will then present their summary to the class, and the class will discuss any differences in what they chose to emphasize.
– Opinion Spectrum
Instructions: Write a series of statements related to the article on the board (e.g., “Workers have the right to strike,” “Starbucks is justified in opposing the union,” etc.). Have students stand along a line in the classroom that represents a spectrum of agreement or disagreement with each statement. Students will then explain their positions to the class, fostering a discussion on the different perspectives regarding the Starbucks workers’ situation.
– Keyword Taboo
Instructions: Create cards with keywords from the article (e.g., “walkout,” “union,” “negotiate,” “labor laws”). Students will play in small groups. The student who is ‘it’ must describe the keyword to their group without using the word itself or five additional taboo words listed on the card. The group must guess the keyword. This activity will help students practice circumlocution and vocabulary from the article.
– Future Predictions
Instructions: After discussing the article, ask students to write down their predictions for the future of the Starbucks union campaign and workers’ rights movements in general. They can consider factors like public support, company responses, and legal challenges. Have students share their predictions with a partner and then with the class, discussing the likelihood and potential impact of these predictions.
– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Students will divide into two groups. One group will list the pros of the Starbucks workers’ walkout and unionization efforts, while the other group will list the cons. After a set time, each group will present their list to the class, and then the class will engage in a debate weighing the pros and cons. This activity encourages critical thinking and balanced argumentation.
Comprehension Questions:
1. What is the main reason for the planned walkout by Starbucks workers in the United States?
2. On what date is the walkout at Starbucks stores scheduled to occur?
3. How many Starbucks stores are expected to be affected by the work stoppage?
4. What annual event does the walkout coincide with, and what does Starbucks distribute on this day?
5. What specific issues are the Starbucks workers protesting against during the walkout?
6. According to Michelle Eisen, what is the expected difference in impact between this year’s walkout and previous ones?
7. What reasons does Starbucks give for not anticipating significant disruptions due to the walkout?
8. How many Starbucks locations in the US have voted to join the union since 2021, and what tactics has the company allegedly used against the union campaign?
Go to answers ⇩
Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
(1)______ workers in the United States are planning a (2)______ at hundreds of stores in protest of the company’s (3)______ of its employees. The walkout, organized by Starbucks Workers United, is set to take place on one of the busiest days of the year for the coffee chain. The union and Starbucks have been engaged in a dispute over issues such as pay and scheduling. Approximately 200 stores are expected to be (4)______ by the work stoppage on November 16th.
The protest is the second of its kind to coincide with Starbucks’ annual ‘Red Cup’ day, during which the company distributes holiday-themed cups. Some locations will only be (5)______ for a few (6)______, while others may remain closed for the entire day. The union aims to draw attention to Starbucks’ refusal to negotiate fair contracts with its (7)______ stores. Workers are also protesting against (8)______ staffing on promotional days.
Barista Michelle Eisen, one of the union’s leaders, believes that this year’s walkout will be more impactful than previous ones, with more customers and community activists expected to join the action. She emphasized the importance of Starbucks’ reputation and the potential consequences for the company if it fails to address the workers’ concerns.
Starbucks, which operates around 10,000 (9)______ in the US, has stated that it does not anticipate (10)______ disruptions due to the walkout. The (11)______ claims to have invested substantial amounts of money in (12)______ wages, training, and new equipment. It also blames the union for delays in negotiations and points to successful negotiations at several stores in Canada.
Since 2021, workers at approximately 350 of Starbucks’ US locations have voted to join the union. Starbucks has vehemently opposed the union campaign, allegedly engaging in tactics such as firing workers and closing stores to impede the movement. Administrative law (13)______ have (14)______ that the company has violated labor laws on multiple occasions. Starbucks, however, denies any wrongdoing and typically appeals these findings.
The Starbucks union campaign has garnered significant attention and is credited with inspiring workers at other companies to organize and demand better working conditions. Despite (15)______ other unions achieve significant wage increases, (16)______ Eisen acknowledges that the fight for workers’ rights at Starbucks continues to be challenging.
Go to answers ⇩
Discussion Questions:
Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.
1. What is your understanding of a worker’s union and its purpose?
2. How would you feel if your local coffee shop was closed due to a worker’s walkout?
3. Do you think it’s effective for workers to protest on busy days? Why or why not?
4. Have you ever participated in or witnessed a walkout? What was the experience like?
5. What do you believe are fair conditions for negotiating wages and scheduling with employers?
6. In your opinion, how important is it for companies to maintain a good reputation with their customers and employees?
7. Do you think community activists should join workers’ protests? Why or why not?
8. How do you feel about companies investing in higher wages, training, and equipment? Do you think it’s enough to address workers’ concerns?
9. What are some reasons you think a company might oppose the formation of a union?
10. Have you ever had to work on a promotional day or during a major event? What was your experience with staffing and workload?
11. Do you like the idea of themed promotional days, like Starbucks’ ‘Red Cup’ day? Why or why not?
12. Do you think companies should negotiate with unionized stores differently than non-unionized ones?
13. What impact do you think a successful union campaign at a large company like Starbucks can have on the broader workforce?
14. Can you think of any examples where workers’ rights have significantly improved due to union efforts?
15. Do you believe that large corporations often engage in fair labor practices, or do you think labor law violations are common? Why?
Individual Activities
Vocabulary Meanings:
Match each word to its meaning.
Words:
1. walkout
2. protest
3. union
4. stores
5. workers
6. negotiations
7. company
8. campaign
Meanings:
(a) A series of actions or efforts to achieve a particular goal
(b) Discussions or discussions aimed at reaching an agreement
(c) A strike or work stoppage by employees
(d) An organization of workers formed to protect their rights and interests
(e) Places where goods are sold to the public
(f) An organized public display of objection or disapproval
(g) A business or organization that sells goods or services
(h) People who are employed to perform tasks or jobs
Go to answers ⇩
Multiple Choice Questions:
1. What is the reason for the planned walkout at Starbucks stores in the United States?
(a) A dispute over coffee prices
(b) A shortage of holiday-themed cups
(c) The company’s treatment of its employees
(d) Inadequate staffing on regular days
2. When is the walkout scheduled to take place?
(a) November 16th
(b) December 25th
(c) October 31st
(d) January 1st
3. How many stores are expected to be affected by the work stoppage?
(a) Approximately 500
(b) Approximately 200
(c) Approximately 1,000
(d) Approximately 10,000
4. What is the purpose of the walkout on Starbucks’ annual ‘Red Cup’ day?
(a) To protest against the distribution of holiday-themed cups
(b) To demand higher wages for workers
(c) To draw attention to Starbucks’ refusal to negotiate fair contracts
(d) To advocate for more training and new equipment
5. According to the article, who believes that this year’s walkout will be more impactful than previous ones?
(a) Starbucks’ CEO
(b) Union leaders from other companies
(c) Starbucks customers
(d) Barista Michelle Eisen
6. How many stores does Starbucks operate in the United States?
(a) Around 100
(b) Around 10,000
(c) Around 1,000
(d) Around 100,000
7. What has Starbucks claimed regarding the anticipated disruptions due to the walkout?
(a) It does not anticipate significant disruptions
(b) It expects all stores to be closed for the entire day
(c) It expects all stores to be closed for a few hours
(d) It expects only a handful of stores to be affected
8. What has Starbucks been accused of in relation to the union campaign?
(a) Supporting the union campaign and providing resources
(b) Negotiating fair contracts with its unionized stores
(c) Encouraging workers to join the union and demand better working conditions
(d) Firing workers and closing stores to impede the movement
Go to answers ⇩
True or False Questions:
1. Workers are also protesting against inadequate staffing on promotional days.
2. The union and Starbucks have been engaged in a dispute over issues such as pay and scheduling.
3. This protest is the second of its kind to coincide with Starbucks’ annual ‘Red Cup’ day.
4. Starbucks workers in the United States are planning a walkout at hundreds of stores in protest of the company’s treatment of its employees.
5. The union aims to draw attention to Starbucks’ willingness to negotiate fair contracts with its unionized stores.
6. The walkout is organized by Starbucks Employees United and is set to take place on one of the slowest days of the year for the coffee chain.
7. Starbucks has stated that it anticipates significant disruptions due to the walkout.
8. Approximately 20 stores are expected to be affected by the work stoppage on November 16th.
Go to answers ⇩
Write a Summary:
Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
Writing Questions:
Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.
1. What specific issues are Starbucks workers protesting against during the planned walkout?
2. How many Starbucks stores in the US are expected to be affected by the work stoppage on November 16th?
3. What is the significance of the ‘Red Cup’ day in relation to the timing of the walkout?
4. What reasons does Starbucks give for the delays in negotiating with the unionized stores?
5. How has the Starbucks union campaign influenced the broader labor movement according to the article?
Answers
Comprehension Question Answers:
1. What is the main reason for the planned walkout by Starbucks workers in the United States?
The main reason for the planned walkout is the company’s treatment of its employees, specifically issues related to pay and scheduling.
2. On what date is the walkout at Starbucks stores scheduled to occur?
The walkout is scheduled to occur on November 16th.
3. How many Starbucks stores are expected to be affected by the work stoppage?
Approximately 200 stores are expected to be affected by the work stoppage.
4. What annual event does the walkout coincide with, and what does Starbucks distribute on this day?
The walkout coincides with Starbucks’ annual ‘Red Cup’ day, during which the company distributes holiday-themed cups.
5. What specific issues are the Starbucks workers protesting against during the walkout?
Workers are protesting against the company’s refusal to negotiate fair contracts with unionized stores and inadequate staffing on promotional days.
6. According to Michelle Eisen, what is the expected difference in impact between this year’s walkout and previous ones?
Michelle Eisen believes that this year’s walkout will be more impactful, with more customers and community activists expected to join the action.
7. What reasons does Starbucks give for not anticipating significant disruptions due to the walkout?
Starbucks claims to have invested in higher wages, training, and new equipment, and blames the union for delays in negotiations. The company also points to successful negotiations at several stores in Canada.
8. How many Starbucks locations in the US have voted to join the union since 2021, and what tactics has the company allegedly used against the union campaign?
Since 2021, workers at approximately 350 of Starbucks’ US locations have voted to join the union. The company has allegedly engaged in tactics such as firing workers and closing stores to impede the movement.
Go back to questions ⇧
Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:
(1) Starbucks
(2) walkout
(3) treatment
(4) affected
(5) closed
(6) hours
(7) unionized
(8) inadequate
(9) stores
(10) significant
(11) company
(12) higher
(13) judges
(14) found
(15) witnessing
(16) Michelle
Go back to questions ⇧
Vocabulary Meanings Answers:
1. walkout
Answer: (c) A strike or work stoppage by employees
2. protest
Answer: (f) An organized public display of objection or disapproval
3. union
Answer: (d) An organization of workers formed to protect their rights and interests
4. stores
Answer: (e) Places where goods are sold to the public
5. workers
Answer: (h) People who are employed to perform tasks or jobs
6. negotiations
Answer: (b) Discussions or discussions aimed at reaching an agreement
7. company
Answer: (g) A business or organization that sells goods or services
8. campaign
Answer: (a) A series of actions or efforts to achieve a particular goal
Go back to questions ⇧
Multiple Choice Answers:
1. What is the reason for the planned walkout at Starbucks stores in the United States?
Answer: (c) The company’s treatment of its employees
2. When is the walkout scheduled to take place?
Answer: (a) November 16th
3. How many stores are expected to be affected by the work stoppage?
Answer: (b) Approximately 200
4. What is the purpose of the walkout on Starbucks’ annual ‘Red Cup’ day?
Answer: (c) To draw attention to Starbucks’ refusal to negotiate fair contracts
5. According to the article, who believes that this year’s walkout will be more impactful than previous ones?
Answer: (d) Barista Michelle Eisen
6. How many stores does Starbucks operate in the United States?
Answer: (b) Around 10,000
7. What has Starbucks claimed regarding the anticipated disruptions due to the walkout?
Answer: (a) It does not anticipate significant disruptions
8. What has Starbucks been accused of in relation to the union campaign?
Answer: (d) Firing workers and closing stores to impede the movement
Go back to questions ⇧
True or False Answers:
1. Workers are also protesting against inadequate staffing on promotional days. (Answer: True)
2. The union and Starbucks have been engaged in a dispute over issues such as pay and scheduling. (Answer: True)
3. This protest is the second of its kind to coincide with Starbucks’ annual ‘Red Cup’ day. (Answer: True)
4. Starbucks workers in the United States are planning a walkout at hundreds of stores in protest of the company’s treatment of its employees. (Answer: True)
5. The union aims to draw attention to Starbucks’ willingness to negotiate fair contracts with its unionized stores. (Answer: False)
6. The walkout is organized by Starbucks Employees United and is set to take place on one of the slowest days of the year for the coffee chain. (Answer: False)
7. Starbucks has stated that it anticipates significant disruptions due to the walkout. (Answer: False)
8. Approximately 20 stores are expected to be affected by the work stoppage on November 16th. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧
