The timing? It’s no coincidence this all unfolds during the holiday rush—a crucial period for retail and service industries.

Workers Demand Better Wages and Conditions

Starbucks employees say they’re fed up with stagnant wages, staffing issues, and unpredictable schedules. On Christmas Eve, about 5,000 workers were expected to join the strike in major cities like New York City, Boston, Los Angeles, and Starbucks’ hometown, Seattle.

On the other side, a company spokesperson argues Starbucks already offers a compelling package. They highlight competitive pay, free college tuition, stock options, and other benefits. However, the company criticized union leaders, claiming they walked away from recent negotiations. In a statement, Starbucks said they’re “ready to continue negotiations when the union comes back to the bargaining table.”

One worker involved in the strike countered, saying, “We’re the ones doing the labor that makes this company money. If Starbucks wants us to keep providing that labor, they need to compensate us fairly.” This highlights a growing tension between employees and corporate management as unionized workers push for more.

Broader Labor Movement Gains Momentum

It’s not just Starbucks making headlines for labor disputes. Workers at retail giant Amazon are also striking during the busy holiday season. Members of the Teamsters union have been picketing at Amazon facilities since last Thursday, similarly demanding better pay and work conditions.

Union representatives say Amazon has refused to come to the table for even a basic labor agreement. In some instances, striking workers organized protests to block deliveries from leaving warehouses, aiming to disrupt holiday operations. The timing? Strategic, to say the least.

Both Starbucks and Amazon seem to believe these strikes won’t have a major impact. Starbucks operates over 10,000 stores nationwide, so disruptions at 300 locations could still leave most outlets running smoothly. Similarly, Amazon pointed out that union members make up only about 1% of their entire workforce.

Strategic Strikes During the Holidays

Why now? For unions, the holiday season represents a powerful leverage point. With gift-giving, celebrations, and travel in full swing, retail and logistics companies are stretched thin. A disruption—no matter how small—can create ripple effects. It’s like pulling a thread on a tightly knit sweater: it may unravel faster than you expect.

Striking during the busiest weeks of the year sends a clear message. Workers want these companies to listen, and the timing makes it hard to ignore the pressure.

What’s Next for Starbucks and Amazon?

As the strikes continue, the question looms: how will these companies respond? Will Starbucks come back to the table and address the union’s concerns, or will the stalemate drag out? And will Amazon budge under pressure from Teamsters picketing their facilities?

For now, both Starbucks and Amazon appear confident they can weather this storm with minimal disruption. But as more workers join the picket lines, their voices are only getting louder. Whether or not that translates into tangible changes remains to be seen.

Conclusion

Big Labor has become more focused in recent years as sentiment towards larger corporations deteriorates. Much of this can be blamed on personal hardships felt by millions of Americans through the poor economy under the Biden regime.

Article generated with assistance from AI.

The firm’s Meritocracy ETF, which will be available in 2025, will specifically exclude about three dozen companies from the S&P 500 that have implemented DEI hiring quotas. Among those to be excluded are Starbucks, Best Buy, Vanguard, and BlackRock. Azoria is reportedly finalizing a roughly $25 million venture round.

“We believe companies focused on race and gender-based hiring rather than skill and merit are pursuing value-destructive behavior,” Fishback said this week in an interview with Fox News.

.@InvestAzoria CEO @j_fishback calls on Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol to abandon hiring quotas and restore focus on merit-based hiring.

"Over the past five years, the S&P 500 is up nearly 100%. Starbucks is up only 12%. It has a people problem." pic.twitter.com/4NTyiJsq9L

— CAPITAL (@capitalnewshq) December 16, 2024

In a fiery op-ed for the New York Post, Fishback lambasted corporations that use DEI criteria in hiring decisions, claiming they are likely to underperform. “If you commit to hiring on race and gender and not merit, your stock will continue to underperform. Our ETF will call you out,” he said. “Our goal is to offer investors a portfolio of companies that prioritize hiring the best and brightest, regardless of their appearance.”

Fishback pointed to Starbucks as a key example. In 2020, the coffee giant announced a goal of achieving 30% racial and ethnic diversity in its workforce. “What does that have to do with making coffee at a profit in America?” Fishback remarked.

“You hire the best and brightest no matter what they look like.” While the S&P 500 has surged nearly 100% over the last five years, Starbucks’ stock has only risen by 12%, which Fishback attributes to the company’s focus on DEI policies rather than talent and performance.

Fishback also urged Starbucks’ new CEO, Brian Niccol, to reassess the company’s DEI strategy and return to a merit-based approach. “The espresso machines and the Wi-Fi aren’t the issues. It’s the people at the core of the business,” Fishback said.

Fishback, a supporter of President-elect Donald Trump, recently expounded on his vision for Azoria Partners during a luncheon at Mar-a-Lago. Ark Invest CEO Cathie Wood was among those who attended the gathering at the posh Palm Beach club.

Starbucks is a great American company that has lost its way.

The good news is that it can course-correct overnight by accepting the recommendation that we @InvestAzoria made at Mar-a-Lago last week:

"Restore meritocracy by eliminating your racial and gender hiring targets. It's… pic.twitter.com/FCNtgpUZcl

— James Fishback (@j_fishback) December 9, 2024

Fishback made headlines this year when he sued his former employer, Greenlight Capital, alleging that the hedge fund run by David Einhorn hindered his fundraising efforts by misstating his role during a reference check.