Holiday Ayo - New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani took to the streets to join Starbucks workers in Brooklyn who protested on Monday (December 1).

Workers at the global coffee chain have been on strike and demonstrating over the past few years, protesting unclear wages and hours at the company.

On Monday, Mamdani spoke in front of a Starbucks store in Gowanus with the protesting workers.

He emphasized his campaign's commitment to ensuring affordability and improving the lives of marginalized workers.

"When I'm mayor of this city, I will continue to stand on the front lines with workers. We want to build a government known for standing with workers every step of the way," the democratic socialist politician said, as quoted by the New York Times.

During his campaign, Mamdani promised to implement more worker-friendly policies than his predecessor, Eric Adams.

Mamdadi's solidarity action also coincided with Mayor Eric Adams' announcement that Starbucks had agreed to pay a US$38.9 million (IDR 646.5 billion) settlement for the company's violations of New York City's labor law.

The New York Department of Consumer and Worker Protection found Starbucks guilty of violating the city's labor law more than half a million times since 2021.

One of the violations was the coffee shop's failure to provide a regular and stable work schedule for its staff.

More than 15,000 part-time and hourly workers will receive compensation under the agreement, which will see workers receive US$50 for each week worked from July 4, 2021, to July 7, 2024.

"Because we are all united in the belief that we must build a New York where every worker can live a decent life," Mamdadi said, as quoted by the New York Post.

"We must build a New York where our words don't ring hollow. Just as we call this a union city, we must build a New York where the workers who power this city can afford to live there," he added.

In addition to Mamdani, another socialist figure, Senator Bernie Sanders, also joined the demonstration.

However, this settlement only covers past violations in New York City, not the union's ongoing demands for wage increases, increased staffing, and improved hours.

The strike affected more than 100 stores in nearly as many cities.

Meanwhile, Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol received a $96 million pay package in just four months on the job, while many workers were still being paid less than they should have.