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IOWA CITY — About 30 community members, labor leaders and university students gathered outside the Starbucks on South Clinton Street on Saturday to back striking baristas demanding that the coffee chain negotiate a first union contract — more than two and a half years after Iowa City workers voted unanimously to unionize.

Abigail Scheppmann, a striking Starbucks barista at the Iowa City store, told supporters that workers are committed to holding the line until Starbucks agrees to a fair first contract, citing the need for higher take-home pay, adequate staffing and a resolution to unfair labor practice charges tied to alleged union-busting and retaliation.

Iowa City baristas voted unanimousl

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