Starbucks baristas working across 65 U.S. stores are set to strike on Thursday amid stalled negotiations over what would be their first union contract.
More than 1,000 workers are poised to join rallies in 45 cities — including New York, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, San Diego, St. Louis, Dallas, Columbus, Ohio and Starbucks’ home city of Seattle — on “Red Cup Day,” one of the company’s busiest sales days of the year.
Since 2018, Starbucks has doled out free, reusable cups during the annual event to all customers who buy a holiday drink.
“We’re turning the Red Cup Season into the Red Cup Rebellion,” Amos Hall, a Pittsburgh barista told ABC News.
Starbucks Workers United, the union organizing Starbucks baristas, said the company has failed to respond to new proposals on key issues, including staffing levels and pay. Workers are also seeking to resolve allegations over illegal labor practices, including claims of retaliation against union members.
The two parties have not been in active negotiations to reach a contract after fell apart late last year.
Starbucks workers first voted to unionize at a store in Buffalo in 2021. In December 2023, the company vowed to finalize an agreement by the end of 2024. But in August of last year, the company ousted Laxman Narasimhan, the CEO who made that promise, and little progress has since been made under Brian Niccol, the company’s current chairman and CEO.
Workers say they’re seeking better hours and improved staffing in stores, where they say long customer wait times have become the norm. They’re also pushing for higher pay, noting that executives like Niccol are making millions.
“We are disappointed that Workers United, who only represents around 4% of our partners, has voted to authorize a strike instead of returning to the bargaining table,” the company said. “When they’re ready to come back, we’re ready to talk.”
While the vast majority of Starbucks stores will be open as usual on Thursday, baristas say they are prepared to escalate the work stoppage, threatening to make this “the largest, longest strike in company history if Starbucks fails to deliver a fair union contract and resolve unfair labor practice charges,” spokesperson Starbucks Workers United spokesperson Michelle Eisen told CNBC.
“No contract, no coffee is more than a tagline — it’s a pledge to interrupt Starbucks operations and profits until a fair union contract and an end to unfair labor practices are won,” she added. “Starbucks knows where we stand.”
With News Wire Services
