NATIONAL — The Starbucks union says that 92% of unionized baristas voted to plan a strike against the large retail coffee chain, starting on Nov. 13.
Starbucks Workers United, the union that represents baristas at over 500 locations, announced the strike on Wednesday.
In a statement on their website, the union says that locations in 25 cities will participate in the strike.
The baristas at these locations say they are striking for better staffing, higher pay, and better work conditions.
“Union baristas mean business and are ready to do whatever it takes to win a fair contract and end Starbucks’ unfair labor practices,” said Starbucks Workers United spokesperson Michelle Eisen.
In 2024, Starbucks began discussing a deal with the union to finalize a contract that would address these proposals.
The talks eventually stalled by April 2025.
The strike also comes after Starbucks closed 59 stores as part of a restructuring plan under current CEO Brian Niccol.
The strike will coincide with the busiest day of the year for Starbucks, which is Red Cup Day and the busy holiday season.
This isn’t the first time Starbucks has experienced a strike on Red Cup Day.
In 2020, workers in over 200 locations staged a walkout to push for unionization.
On November 6, Starbucks shared the following statement:
“We are disappointed that Workers United, who only represents around 4% 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. 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. The facts show people like working at Starbucks. Partner engagement is up, turnover is nearly half the industry average, and we get more than 1 million job applications a year. Our customers can be assured that our partners will be ready to serve them at the vast majority of our more than 10,000 company operated coffeehouses and nearly 7,000 licensed locations throughout the holiday season, regardless of the union’s plans.”
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