Hundreds of Starbucks employees have walked out across more than 25 American cities in a coordinated unfair labour practice strike, deliberately timed to coincide with the coffee giant's lucrative Red Cup Day promotion.
Major Disruption on Key Sales Day
The strike action, organised by Starbucks Workers United, represents a significant escalation in the long-running dispute between unionised workers and the world's largest coffee chain. Workers are picketing outside stores in major cities including New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, Columbus, and Anaheim during one of Starbucks' busiest sales days of the year.
Red Cup Day traditionally marks the beginning of the holiday season for Starbucks, when customers receive free reusable red cups with their holiday drink purchases. The union's strategic timing aims to maximise pressure on company executives amid what organisers describe as stagnant negotiations for a first union contract.
Contract Negotiations Break Down
Since the first Starbucks location unionised in 2021, more than 650 stores have followed suit, despite facing strong opposition from management. Contract talks collapsed earlier this year after workers rejected the company's economic offer.
Jasmine Leli, a Starbucks barista of three years and strike captain from Buffalo, New York, explained the frustration driving the action: "We have not been given meaningful proposals to finalise this contract since the announcement of the strike authorisation vote. The baristas are prepared to do whatever it takes to get this finalised contract."
The union announced last week that workers had voted overwhelmingly to authorise an open-ended unfair labour practice strike, with 92% of members voting in favour of industrial action.
Call for Customer Boycott
Striking workers are urging customers to join their campaign by avoiding Starbucks during the strike action. The "no contract, no coffee" boycott appeal forms part of a broader strategy to increase pressure on the company.
"We want Starbucks to succeed, but turning the company around and bringing customers back begins with listening to and supporting the baristas who are responsible for the Starbucks experience," said Michelle Eisen, Starbucks Workers United spokesperson and a veteran barista of 15 years.
Eisen issued a stark warning to company management: "If Starbucks keeps stonewalling, they should expect to see their business grind to a halt. The ball is in Starbucks' court."
The strike comes during a challenging period for Starbucks' American operations. The company recently announced plans to close more than 100 cafes across North America and lay off approximately 900 corporate staff following several years of sluggish sales.
Starbucks has responded to the strike action with disappointment. Company spokesperson Jaci Anderson stated: "We are disappointed that Workers United, who only represents around 4% of our partners, has voted to authorise a strike instead of returning to the bargaining table."
Anderson defended Starbucks' employment record, noting that the company offers "the best job in retail, including more than $30 an hour on average in pay and benefits for hourly partners." She assured customers that the "vast majority" of Starbucks' 10,000 company-operated and 7,000 licensed locations would remain open throughout the holiday season.
Union organisers have indicated they plan to expand the strike to additional stores if company executives refuse to make meaningful concessions at the bargaining table.
