Starbucks Workers United said its members are planning to walk out in unionised stores across Los Angeles, Chicago, and Seattle.

The union, which represents employees at more than 500 of Starbucks’ US 10,000 company-operated stores, said workers decided to go on strike after the coffee chain presented a package that offered no immediate raises for baristas in the union.

Starbucks and its union had been locked in a bitter battle since the first store organised in December 2021 seeking better pay, schedules, and hours.

This is the first strike since at least February when Starbucks and the union agreed to restart talks.

There have been many high-profile strikes in previous years, including one last November on the company’s Red Cup Day, when Starbucks gives out its holiday-themed reusable cups.

The union said it expects the strikes to spread to hundreds of stores by Christmas Eve.

In a statement, Starbucks said the union “prematurely ended” the bargaining session this week.

“We are ready to continue negotiations to reach agreements,” the company said, adding that “We need the union to return to the table”.

“The two parties have reached “meaningful agreements” on more than 30 issues that matter to workers, including economic demands,” the company said.

Starbucks added that it’s focused on enhancing the worker experience, and that its pay and benefits for baristas working at least 20 hours a week are worth US$30 an hour on average.