DES MOINES, Iowa —

Unionized Starbucks workers at the Des Moines location on Merle Hay Road joined a nationwide strike today, seeking better pay, improved staffing, and resolution of unfair labor practice claims.

About 150 stores are involved in the strike, with the two sides remaining far apart on any deal after mediated talks ended this past spring.

"Our goal for this strike nationally is not only to bring corporate back to the table, but for them to come to the table with new proposals," said union representative Jacob Scroggins. "We had sat down and bargained before, and most of their proposals were not meeting any of our demands. It was essentially an empty contract."

Starbucks stated that the first day of the strike last month had no effect on sales and noted that the striking st

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