Starbucks workers at over 100 US stores walk out ahead of shareholder meeting

Workers hold protest in Seattle outside of Starbucks' headquarters in response to the company's aggressive anti-union efforts

Starbucks workers at over 100 stores around the US walked out on Wednesday ahead of the company's annual shareholder meeting and held a protest in Seattle outside Starbucks' headquarters.

The actions were launched in response to Starbucks' aggressive anti-union efforts against worker organizing, which have included allegations of firing dozens of workers in retaliation for union organizing, intimidation, store closures, withholding benefits, schedule cuts and delays in bargaining a first union contract. Starbucks has denied or rejected all allegations and charges of labor law violations.