Starbucks employees nationwide will be on strike on Thursday, which takes place on the company’s Red Cup Day.
HAPPENING TODAY: Starbucks workers at stores throughout the Pittsburgh area will walk out of their jobs as part of a national strike, all taking place on the company's Red Cup Day. https://t.co/Awfk1NKaLe
— KDKA (@KDKA) November 16, 2023
Called the “Red Cup Rebellion,” the Pittsburgh chapter stated that they demand Starbucks stop refusing to negotiate with baristas over issues such as scheduling and staffing, which the group says is illegal.
The largest Starbucks strike in HISTORY has officially kicked off.
It’s time for the #RedCupRebellion ✊🔥 LETS GO!!
Join an action near you – check out the map and other ways to support us today at https://t.co/VLcLY1RcY3 pic.twitter.com/yBZn23VZqr
— Starbucks Workers United (@SBWorkersUnited) November 16, 2023
They also want the coffee giant to turn off mobile ordering on future promotion days, which they say the company does more frequently now.
The Workers United Union chose Starbucks’ annual Red Cup Day to stage the walkout because it is usually one of the busiest days of the year for staff.
Red Cup Day is the day that Starbucks gives out free reusable cups, which attracts many customers to the chain nationwide.
#starbucks #redcupday Happy Red Cup day! I’ve been collecting them since they first started this tradition. I also gave my favorite barista a wreath I made from last year’s holiday cups! She loved it & plans to display it in the store 🙃 pic.twitter.com/1P9H1ubkF0
— Lizzy K (@lizblizz13) November 16, 2023
The union expects over 5,000 workers to take part in the rebellion. Around 30 stores staged walkouts on Wednesday.
Neha Cremin, a Starbucks barista in Oklahoma City, had similar reasons for walking out that her colleagues in Pittsburgh expressed.
“Understaffing hurts workers and also creates an unpleasant experience for customers,” said Cremin. “Starbucks has made it clear that they won’t listen to workers, so we’re advocating for ourselves by going on strike.”
In Astor Place, New York, Starbucks barista Mary Boca stated that she would also like to see more staff employed and receive higher wages. Her location does not allow customers to tip, leaving her without $100 extra in each paycheck.
hit the bricks, we’re going on strike besties ✊🥰💖💖💖#RedCupRebellion pic.twitter.com/KlXINIU2G2
— Starbucks Workers United (@SBWorkersUnited) November 16, 2023
Many took to social media to stand in solidarity with the workers.
Solidarity with @SBWorkersUnited on #RedCupDay #RedCupRebellion is the largest work stoppage in the history of the company. https://t.co/r18MLFNOfE
— UAW (@UAW) November 16, 2023
Solidarity is power. Starbucks is a multi-billion dollar corporation. Its workers in Ohio & around the country should have a voice in their workplace and power over their schedules.https://t.co/QWlF91tgQJ
— Sherrod Brown (@SenSherrodBrown) November 16, 2023
If Starbucks is boasting record-breaking profits, they can afford to pay their workers living wages and give them fair schedules.
Standing with Starbucks workers in RI and across the nation this #RedCupDay.https://t.co/xL0rH2Y08d
— Congressman Seth Magaziner (@Rep_Magaziner) November 16, 2023
In the past, the strikes have had little impact on Starbucks’ sales. For its 2023 fiscal year, which ended October 1, the company reported a 12% increase, which totaled a record $36.0 billion.
Starbucks spokesperson Andrew Tull wrote in an email to the Telegram & Gazette that Workers United did not agree to meet to discuss contract bargaining in over four months.
“As we join together to uplift the holiday season and reflect on the past year, we again call on Workers United to … engage in the work of negotiating first contracts on behalf of the partners they represent,” the statement said. “We remain committed to working with all partners … and we hope that Workers United’s priorities will shift to include the shared success of our partners and working to negotiate contracts for those they represent.”
