Marketplace Morning Report What's been brewing at the Starbucks labor union?
Sep 11, 2025
Unionized Starbucks workers are still fighting for a contract after over a year of negotiations, with both sides blaming each other. A founding member of the union shares insights on their ongoing struggles. Meanwhile, consumer inflation has taken a turn for the worse, rising 2.9% annually in August. The discussion delves into how these economic shifts impact both the union's efforts and the broader market, shedding light on the challenges baristas face for better working conditions and fair pay.
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Durable Goods Drive Sticky Inflation
- Durable goods prices rose fastest since Nov 2022, indicating tariff and pandemic-related pressure on goods costs.
- Diane Swonk says this keeps Fed debate heated and may produce mixed votes on rate cuts next week.
Prepare For A Contested Fed Decision
- Expect the Federal Reserve meeting to feature a contested decision and plan for uncertain policy outcomes.
- Prepare for either a quarter-point cut, dissent for a half-point cut, or votes for no move at all.
Progress Stalled After CEO Change
- Michelle Eisen describes bargaining progress under the previous CEO and says talks stalled after the new CEO arrived.
- She reports nine months of significant progress that has since stalled under current leadership.