As workers fold up their placards and return to their jobs, a question looms: What happens next? Labor experts who spoke to ABC News said the worker unrest could give way to a resumption of negotiations and an eventual contract agreement,

The union representing Starbucks baristas says it is expanding its strike to stores in 43 states, just as the company's busy holiday stretch begins. Starbucks says the protests closed down about 170 stores.

The union said it expects the number of stores impacted to hit 300, but it's unclear if the group will hit that target by the end of Christmas Eve.