BELLINGHAM, WA – Starbucks is coming back to the bargaining table.

In a major reversal, the Seattle-based coffee giant says it is now committed to bargaining and reaching a labor agreement with its unionized workers.

The move, announced by Starbucks Chief Partner Officer Sara Kelly, follows two years of fighting the unionization of its U.S. stores.

In a letter to the president of the Workers United Union, Kelly said the current stalemate between sides should not be acceptable to either side and set a goal of ratifying contracts by next year.

The union president said in a statement that she is reviewing the letter, but any move towards bargaining is welcome.

The announcement comes after unionized workers at more than 200 Starbucks stores walked off the job on Nov. 16 in what organizers said was their largest strike yet.

Bellingham is home to three unionized locations at Sehome Village, Cordata Center and King Street.