VENTI-FADA: Striking Starbucks workers set up protest camp at coffee giant's Seattle headquarters

Protesters claiming to be Starbucks employees have set up an encampment blocking the entrance to the coffee giant’s Seattle headquarters, escalating their month-long strike. Workers from hundreds of unionized Starbucks locations across the country began the strike on November 13, the annual Red Cup Day, one of the company’s busiest days of the year. Starbucks Workers United on Thursday began a sit-in encampment outside the company’s headquarters to demand an end to what they describe as ongoing unfair labor practices.

The union alleges Starbucks has engaged in union-busting tactics and has refused to finalize a fair collective bargaining agreement. According to Starbucks Workers United, the company has declined to present new proposals addressing key demands, including improved staffing levels, higher wages, and the resolution of hundreds of pending unfair labor practice charges.

Starbucks replied that it remains committed to bargaining “in good faith” and claims it has already reached more than 30 tentative agreements on full contract articles. In a statement posted on its website, Starbucks said Workers United “walked away from the table” but added, “If they are ready to come back, we’re ready to talk. We believe we can move quickly to a reasonable deal.”

Some union members began sitting outside the building on Thursday, though police did not issue warnings until the weekend. By Sunday, officers informed baristas they would need to clear the encampment by Monday morning.

“We took our ULP strike to Starbucks HQ in Seattle and plan to stay until [Starbucks] stops union busting and brings new proposals to the table,” the union wrote on X. “Today the cops told baristas they’ve been asked to clear the camp by tomorrow. Watch this space!”

The protesters are on a strip of land between the headquarters and the parking lot on Utah Ave S. That section of the street was previously vacated. Sources told The Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI that the property owner has a street use permit, making the area like private property.

However, the city is allegedly claiming that its hands are tied because the area is operated like a public plaza and this is a First Amendment issue. According to the source, many officials are on vacation, and those who remain are refusing to do anything, fearing bad press.  

The encampment has drawn support from Democratic lawmakers, including Representative Ro Khanna of California, Representative Pramila Jayapal of Washington, Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. Jayapal visited the encampment at Starbucks headquarters, where she called for wealth redistribution and urged corporations and the wealthy to “pay their fair share.”

Seattle socialist Mayor-elect Katie Wilson joined the protesters earlier in the strike, shortly after her opponent conceded the November election. Wilson appeared on the picket line after her victory speech.

Roughly 550 Starbucks stores in the United States are currently unionized, with many more having voted to unionize. Starbucks operates approximately 10,000 company-owned stores nationwide, along with another 7,000 licensed locations in airports, grocery stores, and other venues.

Workers say they are prepared to continue striking through the holiday season if negotiations do not resume. Striking baristas in Washington state may become eligible for unemployment benefits under a new law signed last year by Democratic Governor Bob Ferguson.