Starbucks union goes on strike, demands Americans give up their grande lattes

Starbucks employees are set to strike on Thursday to pressure the company in an effort that the organizers have decided to undertake on "Red Cup Day," which is the company's annual holiday promotion. The strike will consist of around 1,000 Starbucks workers at around 65 locations across the nation. The union demanded that those around the country boycott the company's coffee. 

In a post to X, Starbucks Workers United said, "As of today, Starbucks workers across the country are officially ON STRIKE. And we're prepared for this to become the biggest and longest ULP strike in Starbucks history. Say #NoContractNoCoffee with us: DON'T BUY STARBUCKS for the duration of our open-ended ULP strike!"

"It has been nearly a year since Starbucks has offered us a single proposal to finish the remainder of our union contracts. The company knows where we stand: we need fair wages, better scheduling, and an end to union-busting. Instead, Starbucks is fighting US, their workers," the union added. 

Union members say that there have not been new proposals from the company regarding staffing levels as well as pay since the union rejected a contract offer in April.  

“We’re turning the Red Cup Season into the Red Cup Rebellion. Starbucks’ refusal to settle a fair union contract and end union busting is forcing us to take drastic action,” Amos Hall, a barista, said in a statement to ABC News. 

Starbucks responded to the news of the strike on "Red Cup Day," saying that the union only represents around 4 percent of the employees who work for the company. “We are disappointed that Workers United, who only represents around 4 percent of our partners, has voted to authorize a strike instead of returning to the bargaining table. When they’re ready to come back, we’re ready to talk,” spokesperson Jaci Anderson said.  

“Any agreement needs to reflect the reality that Starbucks already offers the best job in retail, including more than $30 an hour on average in pay and benefits for hourly partners," Anderson added.

The Starbucks union says it represents over 12,000 union baristas at over 600 locations in the country. Starbucks countered that figure, estimating the union to be around 9,500 members representing 550 locations. According to Macrotrends, Starbucks employed 361,000 people as of 2024.