Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) is raising its wages and benefits to attract workers and resolve what it calls "critical staffing shortages" across Canada.
Beginning in January, the company says its starting wages will be increased to a dollar above provincial minimum wages, while workers who have been with the company for a year or longer will receive a 6% to 10% pay increase.
The company says the wage hike, which will impact about 20,000 workers, will bring the hourly pay for baristas to between $13 and $20.45, depending on location and tenure, while shift supervisors will earn between $15.85 and $24.95.
Starbucks also says it's providing every hourly worker in Canada with three paid shifts off per calendar year for sick days or to address family issues, along with ongoing perks such as free coffee, a subscription to a meditation app, and health and dental benefits.
The higher wages and benefits come as the coffee company says it has added recruiting specialists to address "critical staffing shortages and difficulties'" in several Canadian markets.
Starbucks, which refers to workers as "partners," says it's also investing in new technologies and processes to improve daily tasks at its coffee shops.
Starbucks currently has 963 company operated stores and 441 licensed stores across Canada.
