Starbucks Workers Embark on Largest Strike yet, Urging Customers to Stay Away Amid Union-Busting Allegations
Over 1,000 Starbucks baristas in over 40 cities across the US walked off the job yesterday, marking one of the largest coordinated actions by the union movement within the coffee giant. The strike, timed to coincide with the company's lucrative "red cup day" festivities, is aimed at pressuring Starbucks back to the bargaining table after months of stalled contract negotiations.
As customers stopped by for a coffee, they were met with signs that read "What's disgusting? Union-busting!" and "No contract, no coffee!" Hundreds of people, including workers, union allies, and community supporters, filled the sidewalks in Brooklyn's Clinton Hill neighborhood. The scene was eerily calm, with potential customers choosing to stay away from the store.
The strike is being led by Workers United, a union that has been growing rapidly within Starbucks since 2021. More than 650 stores have already unionized, despite pushback from management. The union has accused Starbucks of engaging in unfair labor practices and has filed hundreds of charges against the company throughout its organizing campaign.
For many striking workers, including Kaari Harsila, a 21-year-old shift supervisor at Starbucks, the strike is about more than just better pay and benefits. It's also about dignity and respect for employees who work long hours in often grueling conditions. "We're changing red cup day into the red cup rebellion to show Starbucks that we are serious about our demands," Harsila said.
The response from customers has been heartening, with many choosing to support the strike by staying away from the store. According to Harsila, more than half of potential customers refused to cross the picket line. Local supporters and allies from other unions have also joined the protest, showing solidarity with the workers.
Inside the store, however, Starbucks had brought in managers and higher-level supervisors to keep operations running. The company has maintained that the strike will not significantly impact its business, but the reality on the ground is different. With three nearby stores already closed, Harsila said that her store had been "very busy" in recent months, but not today.
As one striking worker, Edwin Augustly, a 50-year-old member of Local 79 who works at John F Kennedy airport, noted, the strike was about more than just Starbucks. It was about broader causes, such as healthcare for trans workers and Palestinian human rights. "When you fight for your trans co-workers to have healthcare, that is everyone's fight," Augustly said.
The union has called on Starbucks to return to the bargaining table and address its demands, including improved staffing and pay. The company has maintained that it is committed to fair labor practices, but the strike highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the workplace.
As Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, put it, "Why is it that these gazillionaires think it is OK to nickel-and-dime baristas? We need to make sure that the people who do the work to make America what it is get treated with respect and dignity."
Over 1,000 Starbucks baristas in over 40 cities across the US walked off the job yesterday, marking one of the largest coordinated actions by the union movement within the coffee giant. The strike, timed to coincide with the company's lucrative "red cup day" festivities, is aimed at pressuring Starbucks back to the bargaining table after months of stalled contract negotiations.
As customers stopped by for a coffee, they were met with signs that read "What's disgusting? Union-busting!" and "No contract, no coffee!" Hundreds of people, including workers, union allies, and community supporters, filled the sidewalks in Brooklyn's Clinton Hill neighborhood. The scene was eerily calm, with potential customers choosing to stay away from the store.
The strike is being led by Workers United, a union that has been growing rapidly within Starbucks since 2021. More than 650 stores have already unionized, despite pushback from management. The union has accused Starbucks of engaging in unfair labor practices and has filed hundreds of charges against the company throughout its organizing campaign.
For many striking workers, including Kaari Harsila, a 21-year-old shift supervisor at Starbucks, the strike is about more than just better pay and benefits. It's also about dignity and respect for employees who work long hours in often grueling conditions. "We're changing red cup day into the red cup rebellion to show Starbucks that we are serious about our demands," Harsila said.
The response from customers has been heartening, with many choosing to support the strike by staying away from the store. According to Harsila, more than half of potential customers refused to cross the picket line. Local supporters and allies from other unions have also joined the protest, showing solidarity with the workers.
Inside the store, however, Starbucks had brought in managers and higher-level supervisors to keep operations running. The company has maintained that the strike will not significantly impact its business, but the reality on the ground is different. With three nearby stores already closed, Harsila said that her store had been "very busy" in recent months, but not today.
As one striking worker, Edwin Augustly, a 50-year-old member of Local 79 who works at John F Kennedy airport, noted, the strike was about more than just Starbucks. It was about broader causes, such as healthcare for trans workers and Palestinian human rights. "When you fight for your trans co-workers to have healthcare, that is everyone's fight," Augustly said.
The union has called on Starbucks to return to the bargaining table and address its demands, including improved staffing and pay. The company has maintained that it is committed to fair labor practices, but the strike highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the workplace.
As Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, put it, "Why is it that these gazillionaires think it is OK to nickel-and-dime baristas? We need to make sure that the people who do the work to make America what it is get treated with respect and dignity."
I'm kinda surprised that Starbucks workers are striking over this. I mean, I know they've had some issues with pay and stuff, but I never thought it'd come to this. It's like, I get why they want better conditions, but I also think the company has a right to run its business as it sees fit... you know? 
But at the same time, I do feel for the workers - they're just trying to make ends meet and have some dignity on the job. It's weird that customers are mostly staying away from the store, but like, I guess if it means they get better treatment, right? 
The union-busting allegations are pretty serious, though... I hope Starbucks doesn't try to make a big deal out of this or try to break the union again. That would be shady, man 
The workers seem really passionate about this, too - Kaari Harsila's message about changing red cup day into the red cup rebellion is so empowering.
The American Federation of Teachers has got it right - workers deserve respect and dignity, no matter what their job is.
Only time will tell.
they're literally fighting for their rights & dignity in the workplace i mean, those ppl are working like 60 hour weeks & getting paid minimum wage? that's just not cool 
"when you fight for your trans co-workers to have healthcare, that is everyone's fight" like, yessss let's make sure everyone gets the respect & care they deserve 
it's like, we know Starbucks has been trying to play both sides but now the baristas are having none of that 
their signs are everything from "what's disgusting? Union-busting" to "no contract no coffee" that's some fire 
i mean, we should be supporting these workers all the way 
i got a cousin who works there and now hes all about the union 
the real question is, whats in that red cup? 
#UnionPower. The fact that Starbucks is trying to discredit them as "union-busting" is just sad, we all know what's really going on here 
#TruthToPower.
#WorkersRightsMatter.
Starbucks workers are getting serious about their demands. I feel for them, working long hours in tough conditions... it's like they're asking for a decent living. The fact that customers are supporting them by staying away from the store is amazing 
. It shows solidarity and respect for the workers. Now let's see if Starbucks will listen to their demands 
. I mean, over 1k workers walking off the job in 40 cities across the US? That's huge! And the fact that they're calling out the union-busting allegations from management is super worrying 
. It's not just about the money and benefits, it's also about dignity and respect for employees who work long hours in hard conditions 
.
. It just goes to show that labor issues are often linked to social justice movements 
It's so cool to see people rallying around workers who are fighting for their dignity. And let's be real, if it's okay for billionaires to nickel-and-dime baristas, then it's time we rethink our entire economic system 
. And it's not just about Starbucks, it's about bigger issues like union-busting and worker exploitation 
.
. The workers deserve better, and so do we – as customers! Let's show 'em some love... or at least, a little less coffee 
. It just goes to show that even in industries like retail where workers are often seen as just cashiers or baristas, they deserve respect and fair treatment too.
they got some serious demands too, not just about pay and benefits but also about bein treated w/ respect and dignity.