The countdown has begun for one of the most significant labor actions in Starbucks history. Unionized workers are threatening to walk off the job on November 13, the same day as Starbucks’ popular Red Cup Day promotion, if a labor contract is not finalized beforehand, with 92% of baristas voting in favor of authorizing the strike. This strategic timing could turn one of the coffee giant’s busiest days into its most challenging, as the company faces mounting pressure to reach its first-ever national contract agreement.
Starbucks Workers Threaten Nationwide Strike
Starbucks unionized workers are warning they will walk off the job on November 13, coinciding with the company’s popular Red Cup Day promotion, if a labor contract is not finalized beforehand. The call to action, announced by Starbucks Workers United, is intended to pressure the coffee giant into securing a first-ever national contract that ensures higher wages and better working conditions for baristas. The date was strategically chosen to align with one of Starbucks’ busiest annual events, Red Cup Day, a Starbucks tradition since 2019, which is typically one of the company’s busiest days of the year, amplifying the potential impact on sales and visibility.
Union Vote Signals Strong Support for Action
According to Starbucks Workers United, approximately 92% of members voted in favor of authorizing the strike. Thousands of baristas across the country participated in the vote, reflecting growing frustration over what workers describe as slow progress in contract negotiations. The union stated that, unless Starbucks reaches an agreement soon, strikes will begin at stores in 25 major U.S. cities, with more locations expected to join if talks continue to stall. “The ball is in Starbucks’ court,” said Michelle Eisen, a union spokesperson and barista, underscoring the workers’ readiness to escalate the dispute.
A Year of Escalating Labor Tensions
If the strike moves forward, it would be the third national work stoppage organized by the union in less than a year. Workers previously walked out in May, protesting a new dress code, and again in December 2024 over stalled contract talks. These repeated demonstrations reflect a deepening standoff between employees seeking a formal agreement and a corporation reluctant to meet their demands. Starbucks maintains that it prefers negotiation over confrontation but criticizes the union for what it sees as premature strike actions.
Starbucks Responds With Disappointment
Company spokesperson Jaci Anderson expressed disappointment at the union’s decision to pursue a strike instead of returning to the bargaining table. “When they’re ready to come back, we’re ready to talk,” she told CBS News. Starbucks has emphasized that it remains open to discussion and claims it has offered competitive pay and benefits. However, workers argue that such statements mask underlying issues like unpredictable scheduling, insufficient hours, and wages that lag behind rising living costs.
Negotiations Stuck in Limbo
Talks between Starbucks and Workers United began in April 2024 but have made little progress. The union, which originated in upstate New York in 2021, now represents approximately 10,000 baristas at around 500 stores, still a fraction of the company’s 200,000 employees across North America. Disagreements over wage proposals have been a major sticking point. Starbucks claims the union requested a 65% immediate pay increase and 77% over three years, but union representatives dispute this characterization, insisting that the company misrepresented multiple separate proposals as one.
Clash Over Pay and Working Conditions
Beyond wages, the union is demanding additional pay differentials for employees who work early morning or late-night shifts, during promotional events, or on weekends. Starbucks, meanwhile, maintains that it already offers industry-leading pay and benefits. CEO Brian Niccol recently told CBS News that Starbucks has “the best job in retail,” citing low turnover rates below 50% and total compensation averaging $30 per hour when benefits are included. However, union members argue that these numbers don’t reflect the reality for part-time baristas who struggle to make ends meet.
Workers Vow to Keep Fighting
For Starbucks baristas, the fight extends beyond wages – it’s about respect, stability, and having a real voice in their workplaces. “Our fight is about actually making Starbucks jobs the best jobs in retail,” said Jasmine Leli, a barista from Buffalo, New York. “Right now, it’s only the best job in retail for Brian Niccol.” As the November 13 deadline approaches, the standoff between workers and management continues to intensify, setting the stage for what could become one of the most visible labor actions in the company’s history.
