Starbucks workers across the U.S. are reporting significant increases in health insurance premiums this year, with some facing more than a doubling in costs, according to a survey by Starbucks Workers United, a union representing thousands of employees. The survey, which included more than 130 workers from both unionized and non-unionized stores, found that health insurance premiums began rising on October 1. Some workers said their costs per paycheck nearly doubled, despite working enough hours to qualify for the benefits and struggling to afford other basic needs. These increases in health insurance costs come at a time when Starbucks Workers United has launched a boycott of the company, demanding a union contract. The union, which began organizing in December 2021, now represents over 12,000 workers in more than 700 stores that have successfully won union elections. The union claims the timing of the premium increases suggests a direct response to the growing labor movement. Some workers have said they are choosing to forgo health insurance altogether due to the increased costs, or are considering taking on additional jobs to make ends meet. Kaye-Lani Story, a barista in Edina, Minnesota, with nine years of experience, reported that her health insurance premiums were set to increase from $130 per week to $170, a 30% rise. She said the added cost is unaffordable and that she will have to drop her insurance, as the company does not cover the increase. She had previously qualified for Minnesota’s state health insurance but switched to the company’s plan when her income exceeded the state’s eligibility limits. Now, she said, she can't afford either option. Cory Wagner, a barista in Woods Cross, Utah, has relied on Starbucks's health insurance for five of the seven years he has worked there. He reported that this year, his insurance rates nearly doubled, from $70 per biweekly paycheck to $122. This increase has made the out-of-pocket cost of his heart medication unaffordable, forcing him to consider getting a second job or possibly leaving the company. Wagner noted that Starbucks has the financial resources to keep insurance premiums stable and assist workers who are actively contributing to the company's revenue. Starbucks Workers United has filed an unfair labor practice charge after the company did not respond to a request for information about the health insurance changes, including what prompted the fee hikes and how the company’s contribution to healthcare costs was affected. A Starbucks spokesperson did not comment on the charge but stated in an email that, like many employers across the country, Starbucks continues to face rising healthcare costs. The company said it remains committed to providing quality, affordable healthcare coverage for full and part-time workers, starting at just 20 hours per week.