Starbucks strike 2025: Why baristas are protesting on Red Cup Day across 40 cities - will it affect holiday sales?

Starbucks strike 2025: Starbucks Workers United kicked off an open-ended strike on Thursday across more than 40 cities, coinciding with Red Cup Day, one of the coffee chain’s busiest sales days of the year, as per a report. The strike involves over 1,000 baristas at more than 65 stores, the union said, and comes after months of stalled negotiations between the union and Starbucks, as per a CNBC report.

Why Starbucks Baristas Launch Open-Ended Strike Across 40+ Cities

Workers United voted to authorize the strike after failing to reach a collective bargaining agreement with the company, as per the report. The union is demanding improved work hours, higher wages, and the resolution of hundreds of unfair labor practice charges filed against Starbucks, as reported by CNBC.

Red Cup Day Disrupted & Holiday Sales at Risk Amid Ongoing Starbucks Strike

The protest could disrupt Starbucks’ holiday season, which is typically a key period for sales, as per the report. The company recently broke a nearly two-year streak of same-store sales declines under CEO Brian Niccol, making the holiday quarter critical for the company’s US turnaround, reported CNBC. The company said that past strikes have affected less than 1% of Starbucks’ stores, as per the report.


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Largest Strike in Starbucks History Could Be Brewing

The union, which began organizing at Starbucks in 2021, now represents over 12,000 workers across more than 550 stores, as per the CNBC report. Starbucks, however, maintains that Workers United represents only 9,500 employees at 550 locations, according to the report.

Baristas say they are prepared to escalate the work stoppage, warning that it could become the largest and longest strike in Starbucks’ history if the company fails to provide a fair union contract and address labor complaints, as per the report.

Starbucks Workers United Union’s Bold Message: “No Contract, No Coffee”

Michelle Eisen, a former barista and spokesperson for Workers United, said that, “If Starbucks keeps stonewalling a fair contract and refusing to end union-busting, they’ll see their business grind to a halt,” adding, “No contract, no coffee is more than a tagline — it’s a pledge to interrupt Starbucks operations and profits until a fair union contract and an end to unfair labor practices are won. Starbucks knows where we stand,” as quoted by CNBC.

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Starbucks Response: Ready to Serve Customers

Meanwhile, Starbucks maintains that it is ready to serve customers at nearly 18,000 company-operated and licensed stores during the holiday season, as per the report.

Negotiations Continue: Starbucks Ready to Talk if Union Returns

Starbucks spokesperson Jaci Anderson, said that, “Starbucks offers the best job in retail, including more than $30 an hour on average in pay and benefits for hourly partners. 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,” as quoted by CNBC.

FAQs

Why are Starbucks baristas on strike?

They want better hours, higher wages, and resolution of unfair labor practice claims.

How many Starbucks stores are affected?

Over 65 stores across 40+ cities are on strike.