On the heels of the Christmas rush, Starbucks union employees schedule to strike in three states Friday citing issues over wages, benefits and staffing.

A five-day strike is slated in Chicago, Seattle, and Los Angeles, the union posted on X late Thursday, in response to the business” backtracking on our promised path forward.”

Starbucks union representatives said the strike could soon affect hundreds of stores across the United States.

“We’re calling on allies to join us at 3 “anchor” picket lines TODAY. Each day, we’ll announce more locations,” the union posted on social media.

Baristas will commence escalating strikes through Christmas Eve, according to the post.

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According to a press release from the union, its representatives said they are ready to profitability to the bargaining table to discuss their complaints.

“Starbucks needs to invest in the baristas who make Starbucks run,” Silvia Baldwin, a Philadelphia barista and bargaining delegate said. “correct now, I’m making $16.50 an hour…The business just announced I’m only getting a 2.5% raise next year, $0.40 an hour, which is hardly anything. It’s one Starbucks drink per week.”

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Union: 98% of partners voted to strike

According to the release, 98% of union partners voted in favor of the strike authorization on Tuesday, showing their willingness “to do whatever it takes” to protest hundreds of “unresolved unfair labor habit charges.”

Starbucks Workers United union represents employees at more than 500 stores across the U.S.

“After all Starbucks has said about how they worth partners throughout the structure, we refuse to receive zero immediate pool in baristas’ wages and no resolution of the hundreds of unpaid unfair labor practices,” Lynne Fox, President of Workers United said in a statement provided to Reuters.

USA TODAY has reached out to union reps.

This narrative has been updated to add recent information.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a elder reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and pursue her on X @nataliealund.