More Starbucks stores to close for security reasons

Starbucks Corp. plans to close more unprofitable stores, according to CEO Howard Schultz, who cited safety risks including crime, homelessness, and drug use in bathrooms.

The company earlier announced plans to close 16 locations in Portland, Oregon; Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Seattle, and Washington due to security issues.

In a Twitter video, Schultz said there are going to be many more store closures and that he is shocked that one of the primary concerns of their retail partners is their safety.

The closures, according to unionization activists, are an attempt to undermine workers' attempts to organize. More than 180 sites have voted to unionize, according to Starbucks Workers United, which did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

According to a July 14 story by In These Times, two of the 16 locations set to close recently voted to unionize, and a third in Portland was scheduled to do so in August.

In June, unionized staff at a Starbucks in Ithaca, New York, said the Seattle-based corporation had closed the location in retaliation for the area's recent organization. Starbucks refuted the charge and reaffirmed its commitment to upholding workers' legal rights to form unions and labor laws.

Employees in good standing can transfer to nearby sites at stores that are permanently closed. Starbucks will get in touch with the union To discuss potential opportunities for transfers to other outlets, .