NEW YORK CITY, New York: Workers at more than 100 U.S. company-owned Starbucks locations held a one-day strike this week to protest the company's alleged retaliation against their efforts to organize a union.

The workers, who protested against firings, store closures and similar actions, stressed they are underpaid and do not have consistent schedules.

Outside the Manhattan location, striking workers held signs reading 'no contract, no coffee" and chanted "two jobs, one worker."

A protestor, barista Aaron Cirillo, 23, said, "They are working us to the bone because we are so understaffed."

In response, Seattle-based Starbucks, which has nearly 9,000 corporate-owned U.S. locations, said that it respects employees' right to organize, store closings were due to safety concerns, and it only fired employees who were violating company policies.

The company and union have accused each other of stalling bargaining.

In August, the National Labor Relations Board ordered Starbucks to rehire some fired baristas who were union activists.

The labor board also requested a federal judge to issue an injunction to prohibit Starbucks from interfering with union elections earlier this week.

Some 260 U.S. Starbucks locations have voted to join the union, as dozens of locations have begun bargaining with Starbucks.