Starbucks baristas authorize strike if demands not met — just ahead of critical holiday rush

Starbucks workers voted Wednesday to authorize potentially their largest strike yet just ahead of the company’s busy holiday season.

Unionized baristas said they are preparing to launch strikes in more than 25 US cities on Nov. 13 – the chain’s holiday-themed Red Cup Day – if Starbucks fails to finalize a contract in time.

Starbucks Workers United – which represents about 9,000 of the chain’s over 200,000 baristas – accused Starbucks of being unwilling to negotiate, and warned the strikes could grow if there is no progress in reaching a fair contract.

3

“If Starbucks keeps stonewalling, they should expect to see their business grind to a halt,” said Michelle Eisen, a barista who has been working for the company for 15 years. 

“The ball is in Starbucks’ court.”

Starbucks, however, has accused the union of presenting unreasonable contract proposals, arguing it already offers “the best job in retail” with an average pay of $19 an hour – worth more than $30 an hour when benefits are included.

“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,” Jaci Anderson, a spokesperson for Starbucks, told The Post in a statement. 

The company has nodded to statistics that it says prove people enjoy working for Starbucks.

Its turnover rate, for example, is nearly half the industry average, and the coffee chain receives more than 1 million job applications a year, Anderson said.

It’s just the latest in a years-long battle between the world’s largest coffee chain and its unionized employees.

Starbucks baristas first started voting to unionize some stores about four years ago amid contract negotiations. 

Talks appeared promising last February as both sides agreed to work together, but they broke down just a few months later, with each side blaming the other.

3

Workers United said it has filed more than 1,000 charges against Starbucks for alleged unfair labor practices to the National Labor Relations Board. 

The labor board itself has accused Starbucks of anti-union tactics including closing stores and firing activist workers. The company has denied these claims. 

Workers United argued that a “fair” contract deal would cost Starbucks less than the roughly $100 million it generates in global sales each day.

Union strikes have disrupted Starbucks’ popular-holiday themed Red Cup Day in the past. Last year, it caused about 60 stores to temporarily close, the company said.

3

The newly-approved strikes – which passed with 92% voting in favor – do not have a set end date, the union said.

“Our fight is about actually making Starbucks jobs the best jobs in retail. Right now, it’s only the best job in retail for Brian Niccol,” said Jasmine Leli, who has worked as a Starbucks barista for three years.

The jab at Brian Niccol – who took over as CEO in August 2024 – comes as Starbucks baristas have lodged complaints against several parts of his turnaround plan.

His initiative to bring back Sharpies and force workers to doodle friendly messages on coffee cups has been the target of particular ire – as workers claim it takes up too much time and can be misinterpreted as flirting. 

Starbucks has also faced backlash after it suddenly closed hundreds of stores around the country in September, including 59 unionized locations, on just a few days notice.