Thousands of unionized Starbucks workers to strike Thursday, demanding a contract deal
Thousands of Starbucks workers who are part of the union are planning to go on strike starting Thursday, with no set end date, after failing to reach a contract agreement with the company. The strike, dubbed the “red cup rebellion” by Starbucks Workers United, coincides with the coffee chain’s annual Red Cup Day promotion. The union, representing over 9,500 baristas in 550 Starbucks cafes, is demanding better pay, increased staffing, and a resolution to labor disputes.
Approximately 12,000 of Starbucks’ 200,000 retail employees are expected to participate in the strike, beginning at 4 p.m. local time. Despite the strike, Starbucks does not anticipate disruptions in the majority of its stores. The open-ended strike will kick off in more than 65 stores across 40 cities nationwide.
“If Starbucks continues to disregard a fair contract and persists in union-busting practices, they will witness a significant impact on their operations and profits,” said Michelle Eisen, spokesperson for Starbucks Workers United and a 15-year barista. “No contract, no coffee is not just a slogan—it’s a commitment to halt Starbucks’ operations until fair contract terms and an end to unfair labor practices are achieved.”
Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol stated on CBS Mornings that the company offers industry-leading benefits and wages. He mentioned that the union’s demands have been deemed unreasonable, but Starbucks is willing to negotiate and find a solution. The union announced last week that a vast majority of its members, 92%, voted in favor of authorizing a strike due to the lack of a contract agreement.
Contract negotiations between Starbucks and Workers United commenced in April 2024 but reached an impasse in December. While the union has secured 33 tentative agreements from Starbucks, they emphasize that most are non-economic proposals. This strike marks the union’s third national work stoppage in the past year, following protests in May over Starbucks’ new dress code and a walkout in December 2024.
CBS News has reached out to Starbucks for comment on the impending strike.
