Starbucks Baristas Launch Nationwide Strike On Red Cup Day: What To Know

By Chris Spiker From Daily Voice

More than 1,000 Starbucks baristas are on strike during one of the biggest days for the coffeehouse chain.

Starbucks Workers United launched an open-ended strike at around 65 locations in 40 cities on Thursday, Nov. 13. The walkout comes on Red Cup Day, a popular holiday tradition when Starbucks customers receive a free reusable red cup with any holiday beverage.

Earlier in November, union members voted 92% in favor of the strike. The union says Starbucks has refused to offer proposals addressing pay, staffing, and hundreds of unfair labor practice charges.

Union leaders said the strike reflects rising frustration after six months without new contract progress.

"Our fight is about actually making Starbucks jobs the best jobs in retail," said Jasmine Leli, a strike captain from Buffalo, New York. "Right now, it's only the best job in retail for [Starbucks CEO] Brian Niccol. Things have only gone backwards at Starbucks under Niccol's leadership, but a fair union contract and the resolution of hundreds of unfair labor practice charges are essential to the company's turnaround.

"Too many of us rely on SNAP or Medicaid just to get by, and most baristas still don't earn a livable wage. In a majority of states, starting pay is just $15.25 an hour — and even then, we're not getting the 20 hours a week we need to qualify for benefits."

Negotiations stalled in April when delegates overwhelmingly rejected the company's contract offer, which the union said doesn't improve wages or benefits in the first year and failed to address "chronic understaffing."

"Union baristas mean business and are ready to do whatever it takes to win a fair contract and end Starbucks' unfair labor practices," said union spokesperson Michelle Eisen. "We want Starbucks to succeed, but turning the company around and bringing customers back begins with listening to and supporting the baristas who are responsible for the Starbucks experience. If Starbucks keeps stonewalling, they should expect to see their business grind to a halt. The ball is in Starbucks' court."

A group of US senators sent a letter to Niccol, urging Starbucks to bargain in good faith. Northeast senators in the letter include Bernie Sanders, Angela Alsobrooks, Richard Blumenthal, Cory Booker, Kirsten Gillibrand, Ed Markey, Chris Murphy, Chuck Schumer, Chris Van Hollen, and Elizabeth Warren.

The 26 senators accused Starbucks of engaging in "a troubling return to union busting."

"Starbucks refuses to reach an agreement with its own workers even though you are less than one average day's sales apart from a contract," the senators wrote. "To make matters worse, Starbucks recently began closing stores across the country and laying off hundreds of workers as part of its $1 billion restructuring plan. It is clear that Starbucks has the money to reach a fair agreement with its workers."

Starbucks plans to stay open during the strike across its nearly 18,000 company-operated and licensed stores. 

"Starbucks offers the best job in retail, including more than $30 an hour on average in pay and benefits for hourly partners," Starbucks spokesperson Jaci Anderson told CNBC. "Workers United, which represents only 4% of our partners, chose to walk away from the bargaining table. We've asked them to return many times. If they're ready to come back, we're ready to talk. We believe we can move quickly to a reasonable deal."

In a letter to workers after the strike was approved, Starbucks' chief partner officer Sara Kelly said she believed that both sides could quickly reach an agreement.

"For months, we were at the bargaining table, working in good faith with Workers United and delegates from across the country to reach agreements that make sense for partners and for the long-term success of Starbucks," wrote Kelly. "We reached more than 30 tentative agreements on full contract articles. Our commitment to bargaining hasn't changed."

Starbucks

Union baristas have planned demonstrations at locations across the Northeast and mid-Atlantic, including:

• Lancaster, PA - 2208 Lincoln Highway East
• New York City - 325 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn
• New York City - 2 Broadway, Manhattan
• Philadelphia - 3400 Walnut Street
• Philadelphia - 1500 John F. Kennedy Boulevard
• Pittsburgh - 3618 Forbes Avenue
• Pittsburgh - 4765 Liberty Avenue
• Scranton, PA - 1152 Commerce Boulevard
• Richmond, VA - 2309 West Broad Street

The work stoppage comes two weeks after Starbucks posted its first sales increase in nearly two years, snapping a streak of six quarterly declines. The company said it has aimed to consolidate underperforming stores, modernize operations, and invest in "green apron partner hours" by increasing staffing at busy times to improve service.

In a Facebook post, Starbucks Workers United said that despite the "Back to Starbucks" turnaround plan, customers remain frustrated with long wait times and drinks not being ready when the app says they will be.

"Starbucks' customers are sending the company a clear message: it’s time to invest in the solutions baristas truly need to improve operations at its stores," said Joan Moriarty, director of strategic research and campaigns at the Strategic Organizing Center. "Unfortunately, it seems that the efforts of Starbucks' C-suite over the last year are missing the mark. The Nielsen survey data included in our report should be a wake-up call for the company that it's now or never to win back customers and get them back to Starbucks."

According to Starbucks Workers United, more than 12,000 workers at about 550 locations are now unionized.