The Starbucks workers’ strike is expanding, with picketing expected in the Atlanta area

The union has planned a strike demonstration outside a Starbucks at 10830 Haynes Bridge Road. in Alpharetta on Tuesday.

The strike comes amid contract negotiations, with the union saying Starbucks currently has no new pay increases for union baristas and has proposed a 1.5% increase in the coming years.

“This is a step backwards from months of progress and promises from the company to work towards ratification of the framework by year-end. We are prepared to do whatever it takes to show the company the consequences of not keeping its promises to baristas,” said Starbucks barista and negotiating delegate Michelle Eisen in a written statement.

Sara Kelly, executive vice president at Starbucks, said in a statement posted on the company’s website that the company offers a competitive average wage of more than $18 an hour and that the union “decided last week to withdraw from negotiations “.

Kelly said the company employs more than 200,000 people and 97-99% of its stores remain operational. She added: “We expect very limited impact on our overall operations.”

Unionization has been going on at Starbucks for several years. Employees at hundreds of stores have voted to join the union, but the giant coffee chain has not yet agreed to a contract with a single company.

Experts say the union is fighting an uphill battle.

Current labor regulations force the union to organize branch by branch. That means that if there are long delays in negotiations at a store, there could be staff turnover, which would allow the company to challenge a unionization vote with departed workers.