Hundreds of Starbucks employees have walked out across more than 25 American cities in a major unfair labour practice strike, deliberately timed to coincide with the coffee giant's lucrative Red Cup Day promotion.
Contract Negotiations Reach Breaking Point
The industrial action, organised by Starbucks Workers United, comes after months of stagnant negotiations between the union and the world's largest coffee chain over their first collective bargaining agreement. Since the initial Starbucks store unionised in 2021, more than 650 locations have followed suit, despite facing strong opposition from corporate management.
Contract talks collapsed earlier this year when workers rejected Starbucks' economic offer. The union has spent subsequent months demanding that management table new proposals addressing staffing levels, pay increases, and resolving hundreds of unfair labour practice charges filed during the organising campaign.
Jasmine Leli, a Starbucks barista of three years and strike captain from Buffalo, New York, revealed: "We have not been given meaningful proposals to finalise this contract since the announcement of the strike authorisation vote."
Overwhelming Support for Open-Ended Action
Last week, Starbucks Workers United announced that workers had voted overwhelmingly to authorise an open-ended unfair labour practice strike, with 92% of union members supporting the industrial action. Rallies are planned in major cities including New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, Columbus, and Anaheim.
Union organisers have warned they may expand the strike to additional stores if company executives refuse to compromise. They've also launched a "no contract, no coffee" campaign, urging customers to boycott Starbucks during the strike action.
"The baristas are prepared to do whatever it takes to get this finalised contract," Leli told reporters. "We've waited long enough. We are so close to finishing this contract, and we need them to just finish it."
Strategic Timing During Crucial Sales Period
The strike's commencement on Red Cup Day represents a strategic move by organisers. The annual promotion, where customers receive reusable red holiday cups with holiday drink purchases, typically ranks among Starbucks' biggest sales days of the entire year, marking the start of the lucrative holiday season.
Michelle Eisen, Starbucks Workers United spokesperson and a veteran barista of 15 years, stated: "Union baristas mean business and are ready to do whatever it takes to win a fair contract and end Starbucks' unfair labour practices."
She added: "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. If Starbucks keeps stonewalling, they should expect to see their business grind to a halt."
The labour action comes as Starbucks attempts to revitalise its American operations following several years of sluggish sales. In September, the company revealed plans to close more than 100 cafes across North America and lay off approximately 900 corporate staff.
Starbucks spokesperson Jaci Anderson expressed disappointment that Workers United had "voted to authorise a strike instead of returning to the bargaining table," noting the union represents only around 4% of Starbucks partners. Anderson claimed Starbucks already offers "the best job in retail," citing average hourly pay and benefits exceeding $30, strong partner engagement, and receiving over one million job applications annually.
The company assured customers that the "vast majority" of its more than 10,000 company-operated coffeehouses and nearly 7,000 licensed locations would remain open throughout the holiday season despite the union's actions.
