Jan 30 (Reuters) - Starbucks ( SBUX ) and its union

representing more than 10,000 baristas have agreed to bring in a

mediator to help resume stalled contract negotiations and reach

a deal, they said in a joint statement on Thursday.

Talks between the two parties, which began in April last

year, were halted in December before a final round, with the

union saying the coffee chain had yet to bring a comprehensive

package to the table.

"We have made progress over the last nine months of

bargaining, and we are committed to continuing to work together

- with a mediator's assistance - to navigate complex issues and

reach fair contracts," said the joint statement, which was seen

by Reuters.

Starbucks ( SBUX ) had said in December it scheduled and attended

more than eight bargaining sessions with union delegates and

reached 30 agreements.

The union, which has filed more than 90 unfair labor

practices against the company in recent weeks, had gone on a

five-day strike just ahead of Christmas, which closed Starbucks ( SBUX )

stores in multiple cities, including Los Angeles, Chicago and

Seattle.