Grounds for a Strike: Starbucks Baristas Take on Red Cup Day

On November 13, more than 1,000 unionized Starbucks workers walked off the job at 65 stores in a dramatic protest timed to coincide with the company’s annual Red Cup Day, one of its most lucrative promotions of the year. The action, led by Starbucks Workers United, represents a calculated escalation in a long-running dispute over pay, hours, staffing, and the company’s treatment of union organizers.

Workers say their frustration has boiled over after months of stalled contract negotiations. They argue that many are scheduled for fewer than 20 hours a week, which is just under the threshold for full benefits, and that their base pay remains too low for the demands of the job. Several baristas have reported earning as little as $16 an hour, far below what they contend is a fair wage. At the same time, the union has filed hundreds of unfair labor practice charges, accusing Starbucks of retaliating against union supporters and refusing to bargain over critical issues. Some workers cite policy changes, like limiting restroom access in stores to paying customers, as further evidence of disregard for their rights.

Starbucks, for its part, maintains that it offers competitive compensation. A company spokesperson noted that when pay and benefits are combined, the average hourly “partner” earns around $30. Starbucks also says it remains open to meaningful negotiations, claiming that some of the union’s proposals, such as giving workers power to halt mobile orders under certain conditions, threaten store operations.

Despite union claims that some stores closed, Starbucks insists the disruption was minimal. The company has more than 10,000 U.S. company-operated locations, and leadership says the majority remained open and busy throughout Red Cup Day.

Still, for baristas, this strike is about more than a single day: it is about forcing Starbucks to deliver a contract that protects their interests and addresses long-standing grievances. The union warns that the walkout could deepen and spread if the company does not return with serious proposals, and many workers are calling on customers to support them by participating in a “no contract, no Starbucks” boycott.

As the holiday season ramps up — and with no end date currently set for the strike — the pressure is on Starbucks to decide whether it will negotiate in earnest or risk a prolonged labor battle.