Nov 5 (Reuters) -

Unionized Starbucks ( SBUX ) baristas voted to authorize an

open-ended strike ahead of Starbucks' ( SBUX ) high-traffic holiday

season, announced Starbucks Workers United on Wednesday.

The union said workers are prepared to strike if a

contract is not finalized by November 13, which is the company's

Red Cup Day, and strike actions could hit more than 25 cities

and escalate if there is a lack of progress.

Starbucks Workers United, which represents more than

9,000 workers out of Starbucks' ( SBUX ) over 200,000 baristas, has filed

more than 1,000 charges against Starbucks ( SBUX ) for alleged unfair

labor practices to the National Labor Relations Board, the union

said.

Michelle Eisen, a spokesperson for the union who left

Starbucks ( SBUX ) after a 15 year career at the company, said in a

statement: "If Starbucks keeps stonewalling, they should expect

to see their business grind to a halt. The ball is in Starbucks' ( SBUX )

court."

The Starbucks Workers United union, had been in talks

with the company since last year, and

said

in October it will vote on picketing in about 60 cities,

demanding a contract that reflects "improved staffing, better

pay and on-the-job protections."

Both sides blame the other for ending talks late last

year and say they are ready to return to discussions.

Starbucks ( SBUX ) said in a statement that "any agreement needs

to reflect the reality that Starbucks ( SBUX ) already offers the best

job in retail."