Baristas at the Alameda and Federal location in Denver filed for a union election and on Saturday, baristas from across the Denver area are protesting outside another Starbucks calling for better pay and working conditions.

Starbucks baristas from across the metro area protested outside a Denver location today. More than 500 stores across the country are organizing for union recognition and workplace protections.

A sign on the door of the Starbucks cafe at 17th Avenue and Hover Street Saturday informed customers that the store was closing at 1 p.m.

Employees of Denver’s unionized Starbucks stores went on strike Saturday to protest what they say is the coffee company’s refusal to negotiate over pay and address unfair labor practice complaints. The strike organized by Starbucks Workers United started at Starbucks’ Chicago,

Pittsburgh Starbucks baristas took part in a national walkout Saturday after employees across the country alleged the company had backtracked on its promises regarding labor practices and bargaining.

More than 11,000 Starbucks baristas in the US have begun a five-day strike in a dispute over pay and working conditions. The walk outs began on Friday at stores in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Seattle, Starbucks Workers United said.