Tausi Insider

A Starbucks location in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Nov. 7. Gene J. Puskar/The Associated Press Starbucks SBUX-Q workers at more than 100 U.S. stores are on strike Thursday in their largest labour action since a campaign to unionize the company’s stores began late last year. The walkouts coincide with Starbucks’ annual Red Cup Day, when the company gives free reusable cups to customers who order a holiday drink. Workers say it’s often one of the busiest days of the year. Starbucks declined to say how many red cups it plans to distribute. Workers say they’re seeking better pay, more consistent schedules and higher staffing levels in busy stores. Stores in 25 states planned to take part in the labour action, according to Starbucks Workers United, the group organizing the effort. Strikers are handing out their own red cups with union logos. Starbucks, which opposes the unionization effort, said it is aware of the walkouts and respects its employees’ right to lawfully protest. The Seattle compan...

A U.S. labour board director has upheld Amazon.com Inc workers’ landmark union victory at a warehouse in New York, according to a decision issued Wednesday, bringing the online retailer closer to having to bargain with staff on a contract. Amazon AMZN-Q has the right to appeal the decision to a wider panel at the U.S. National Labor Relations Board (NRLB) or can start negotiating with the workers at its JFK8 facility in the New York City borough of Staten Island. “We knew it was unlikely that the NLRB Regional Office would rule against itself, and intend to appeal,” Kelly Nantel, Amazon spokesperson, said in a statement. “We don’t believe this election process was fair, legitimate, or representative of the majority of what our team wants,” Nantel added. The victory marked the first time U.S. staff at Amazon had decided to unionize in the company’s nearly three-decade history, as well as a watershed moment for organized labour, which has taken issue with productivity tracking among ot...