(COLORADO SPRINGS) —Starbucks workers across the United States are organizing picket lines in preparation for potential strikes, demanding better wages, staffing, and the resolution of unfair labor practices.

Union leaders and employees conducted a practice picket on Wednesday, Oct. 29, to prepare for strikes if Starbucks does not address their demands for a new contract.

“We just want a contract that negotiates the main three points [which are] a better wage, better staffing… and then for them to resolve their unfair labor practices,” said Blue Taylor, a Starbucks shift lead and protestor.

The practice picket involved employees and supporters rehearsing how they would strike, emphasizing the need for Starbucks to return to the bargaining table.

Taylor noted that Starbucks had left negotiations and had not returned despite multiple requests.

A uniform discrepancy has also been a point of contention, with Starbucks changing its dress code and apparently making some employees pay for new uniforms out of pocket.

In Colorado Springs, police asked picketers to move off Starbucks’ property, leading them to continue their demonstration on the sidewalks.

Starbucks responded to inquiries from FOX21 News with a statement and provided information on previous negotiations with Workers United.

“Workers United only represents around 4% of our partners but chose to walk away from the bargaining table. If they’re ready to come back, we’re ready to talk. Any agreement needs to reflect the reality that Starbucks already offers the best job in retail, including more than $30 an hour on average in pay and benefits for hourly partners. We’re investing over $500 million to put more partners in stores during busy times. The facts show people like working at Starbucks. Partner engagement is up, turnover is nearly half the industry average, and we get more than 1 million job applications a year.”

Starbucks Spokesperson

“Workers United only represents around 4% of our partners but chose to walk away from the bargaining table. If they’re ready to come back, we’re ready to talk. Any agreement needs to reflect the reality that Starbucks already offers the best job in retail, including more than $30 an hour on average in pay and benefits for hourly partners. We’re investing over $500 million to put more partners in stores during busy times. The facts show people like working at Starbucks. Partner engagement is up, turnover is nearly half the industry average, and we get more than 1 million job applications a year.”

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by FOX21. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by FOX21 staff before being published.