Starbucks boosts pay for US workers, but union employees must negotiate

Starbucks is rolling out pay hikes and new benefits for its employees, but some of these perks are only available to non-union workers. The company has been engaged in a bitter fight against union organizers, with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) ruling that similar moves by Starbucks violate federal labor law. As of mid-October, nearly 360 stores had voted in favor of a union, while about 70 voted against. The latest benefits include wage increases, but non-union employees will be eligible for additional vacation time sooner. Union members will receive the increases locked in last year, unless collective bargaining negotiations force Starbucks to concede more benefits. The company has appealed the NLRB's decision and remains firm in its stance.