Starbucks faces potential holiday strike as union authorizes strike
Starbucks Workers United has approved an indefinite strike starting on Red Cup Day, one of the chain’s biggest sales days.
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A new wave of “Red Cup Rebellions” is hitting dozens of Starbucks stores.
Walkouts are planned at stores in 41 cities on Thursday, November 13, as the conflict between Starbucks and its union spills over into the chain’s popular Red Cup Day.
Starbucks Workers United, the union representing some of the Starbucks chain’s baristas, announced earlier this month that it would begin a strike on November 13 if the company’s contract agreement is not met. The walkout coincides with Starbucks’ annual Red Cup Day, when customers receive a free reusable red cup with every drink order. The limited-edition cup attracts countless Starbucks customers eager for that year’s holiday collection items.
Starbucks and Workers United began negotiations on a union barista contract in February 2024, but have not reached an agreement, with each side blaming the other.
Here’s what you need to know about the Red Cup Day strike and where customers may be affected.
Cities where strikes are planned
Starbucks spokesperson Jaycee Anderson told USA TODAY on Nov. 12 that the “overwhelming majority” of Starbucks stores will remain open and serving customers on Red Cup Day.
However, according to a news release from Starbucks Workers United, some stores in the following cities will be affected by the strike: The union did not provide a list of specific store addresses. The rally will be held from 4pm to 5pm local time on November 13th at several participating stores. A map with detailed information for each rally is available at nocontractnocoffee.org/.
- Anaheim, California
- long beach california
- San Diego, California
- Santa Clarita, California
- Santa Cruz, California
- Scotts Valley, California
- Seal Beach, California
- Soquel, California
- Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Lafayette, Colorado
- Des Plaines, Illinois
- Evanston, Illinois
- Geneva, Illinois
- Alpharetta, Georgia
- Roswell, Georgia
- Chanhassen, Minnesota
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Brooklyn, New York
- new york, new york
- columbus ohio
- lewis center ohio
- Reynoldsburg, Ohio
- Upper Arlington, Ohio
- Worthington, Ohio
- beaverton oregon
- Damascus, Oregon
- Eugene, Oregon
- Gresham, Oregon
- portland oregon
- Dixon City, Pennsylvania
- Lancaster, Pennsylvania
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- dallas, texas
- Denton, Texas
- Farmers Branch, Texas
- Richmond, Virginia
- Mechanicsville, Virginia
- Redmond, Washington
- Seattle, Washington
How long will the strike last?
Michelle Eisen, a spokeswoman for Starbucks Workers United and a 15-year barista, told USA TODAY that the strike is open-ended and will continue until Starbucks offers the union what it considers a fair contract.
“While there is no set end date for the strike, baristas at our current more than 550 union stores are prepared to continue escalating to make this the largest and longest strike in company history unless Starbucks is able to reach a fair union contract and resolve the unfair labor practice charges,” a union statement obtained by USA TODAY said.
USA TODAY reached out to Starbucks again on Thursday, Nov. 13, to ask about the planned strike.
Why are Starbucks employees going on strike?
Starbucks Workers United has three core demands: better working hours, higher take-home pay, and a resolution to allegations of unfair labor practices.
Eisen said “workers are fed up” with the coffee chain not meeting their financial demands and the union is prepared to continue the strike beyond Red Cup Day.
“Any agreement must reflect the reality that Starbucks already provides some of the best jobs in retail,” said Anderson, the Starbucks spokesperson.
“We are disappointed that Workers United, which represents only about 4% of our corporate partners, voted to authorize a strike rather than return to the negotiating table,” Anderson said.
Looking back at past Starbucks strikes
The first Starbucks store to unionize was in Buffalo, New York in December 2021, and by November 2023, more than 200 stores had joined the first Red Cup Rebellion, calling on management to make healthy changes for employees.
Eisen said Starbucks and Starbucks Workers United will begin negotiations by April 2024. By November 2024, 500 Starbucks stores across the U.S. have unionized.
However, just before Christmas 2024, thousands of Starbucks baristas went on strike again, resulting in the closure of 59 stores for five days. A Starbucks spokesperson previously told USA TODAY that the strike has not significantly affected store operations.
Greta Cross is USA TODAY’s national trends reporter. Story ideas? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.
