WORKERS at Starbucks staged their first strike in 13 months today, planning escalating strike action between now and Christmas Eve.

The action is the largest work stoppage by members of Starbucks Workers United since the organising campaign started at the coffee retailer three years ago.

The strikes are scheduled to begin in Los Angeles, Chicago and Seattle — home of the original Starbucks — and could spread to hundreds of stores across the country by Christmas Eve.