Starbucks union members have recently voted in favor of a strike set to take place across the United States on the coffee chain’s signature Red Cup Day, which is scheduled for Thursday, November 13. The decision comes as negotiations for a contract agreement remain unresolved. The strike, organized by Starbucks Workers United, is anticipated to affect locations in at least 25 cities, although the union has not confirmed the total number of impacted stores.
This move highlights ongoing tensions between the union and the company, particularly regarding compensation. The union has pointed to a stark disparity in pay between the company’s CEO and its workforce. According to the AFL-CIO’s Executive Paywatch report, CEO Brian Niccol earned 6,666 times more than the average employee in 2024. Many employees feel that current wages do not reflect the demanding nature of their roles.
“Our fight is about actually making Starbucks jobs the best jobs in retail. Right now, it’s only the best job in retail for Brian Niccol,” expressed Jasmine Leli, a barista and strike captain from Buffalo, New York. She emphasized the urgency of the matter, asserting the need for fair pay and improved working conditions for all employees.
Starbucks Workers United currently represents around 550 unionized stores out of an estimated 10,000 locations in the U.S. The company is reportedly disappointed by the union’s decision to strike. In a statement, Starbucks spokesperson Jaci Anderson expressed that the company prefers negotiation over strikes. “When they’re ready to come back, we’re ready to talk,” she stated.
Starbucks Chief Partner Officer Sara Kelly sent a letter to employees, suggesting that the union’s demands, deemed not “serious,” include an immediate 65% pay increase and a total of 77% over three years, alongside additional payments for weekend and promotion days. Kelly noted that some demands would negatively impact store operations and customer experience, particularly the request to halt mobile ordering when store queues exceed five orders.
Should the strike proceed as planned on Red Cup Day, it would follow a pattern of previous labor actions. In 2023, thousands of Starbucks workers from over 200 locations participated in a strike on Red Cup Day, while in 2024, nearly 60 stores shut down for five days due to a similar protest.
Michelle Eisen, a spokesperson for Starbucks Workers United and a 15-year veteran barista, stated that union members are determined to secure a fair contract and to address what they see as unfair labor practices at the coffee giant. As the date approaches, the situation remains tense, reflecting broader trends in labor relations across various industries.
