Although they haven’t taken or scheduled any formal actions yet, unionized workers at a supply distributor that services about 900 Starbucks formally authorized a strike last week. The workers, approximately 300 drivers and warehousemen, and members of the Teamsters Union Local 710, are employed at 4 DPI Specialty Foods Inc. facilities in Chicago, Indianapolis, Minneapolis and St. Louis areas. DPI has had a long-term contract with Starbucks but the coffee company has made it known they will not be renewing the contract with DPI, when the current agreement expires. The union is looking for another 5 year contract, but the company has only offered 7 month agreements and a 12 month deal for those in Indianapolis. Elsewhere, Caribou Coffee announced this week that it too was going after the “on the go” consumers with development of a new tiny store concept – with drive-thrus and walk-up windows only – called Caribou Cabins. The first five Cabins, at only 600 square feet, will first be developed in the Minnesota market and more will be slowly developed thereafter possibly in other markets. Caribou Coffee is owned by JAB Holdings.