Thousands of Starbucks union workers are walking out on one of the coffee giant’s busiest days.
Members are striking today (Thursday, November 16), which coincides with the ‘Red Cup’ promotional event.
The labor dispute started in 2021 and is around issues like pay, scheduling, and working conditions.
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Approximately 200 stores are affected by the work stoppage, varying in duration from a few hours to most of the day.
Starbucks Workers United aims to draw attention to what it perceives as Starbucks’ reluctance to engage in fair contract negotiations with the unionized stores.
Union members are also protesting work conditions, including inadequate staffing on promotional days.
Union leader Michelle Eisen, a Starbucks barista, said the company could afford to “do better by its workers”.
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She said she expects more customers and community activists to join the strike this year as a warning sign for the coffee brand.
She said: “That’s what’s going to set this apart. That’s what should scare the company. Their reputation is everything.”
This protest marks the second consecutive year Starbucks Workers United has chosen ‘Red Cup’ day for its demonstration.
The union strategically targeted a key promotional period for the coffee chain.
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Starbucks, which operates around 10,000 stores across the US, downplayed the potential disruption, stating that it does not anticipate major disturbances.
The company said it had spent millions on wages, training, and new equipment, blaming the union for delays in negotiations.
It highlighted successful negotiations at several Canadian stores.
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Starbucks puts blame on unions
The company said: “Starbucks remains ready to progress in-person negotiations with the unions certified to represent partners.”
Since 2021, around 350 Starbucks’ roughly 10,000 US locations have voted to join the union.
Starbucks has vehemently opposed the unionization campaign, facing accusations of labor law violations, allegations it denies.
