Thousands of Starbucks employees are going on strike Thursday during a “Red Cup Rebellion” as union leaders make demands of the company.
According to Axios, the event includes workers from 200 unionized stores located across the country.
“THOUSANDS of Starbucks workers are on strike today. On top of our biggest strike yet,~500 actions at Starbucks stores are happening across the country in solidarity!” Starbucks Workers United said in a social media post Thursday:
THOUSANDS of Starbucks workers are on strike today. On top of our biggest strike yet,~500 actions at Starbucks stores are happening across the country in solidarity!
— Starbucks Workers United (@SBWorkersUnited) November 16, 2023
We need YOU to add your voice — Click to call Starbucks and support striking baristas! https://t.co/7xpT3bRB5D pic.twitter.com/k69TlFcFlF
The action is happening on the company’s “Red Cup Day,” which has been one of its biggest sales days. According to its website, Starbucks is offering customers free reusable holiday cups on Thursday when they purchase certain beverages.
Meanwhile, the union said it is demanding the company come to the table and bargain over staffing, scheduling, and other issues, per Axios:
Starbucks said in a statement to Axios that it expects “customers interested in our reusable red cup will be able to participate in the giveaway, as planned” and that the union’s day of action is at a “small subset of our U.S. stores.”
“Despite escalating rhetoric and recurring rallies demanding a contract, Workers United hasn’t agreed to meet to progress contract bargaining in more than four months,” the company said in its statement.
WFAA reported Thursday one of the union’s demands for workers was better pay. A local Starbucks union representative told the Texas outlet that although the local unions are small, they have the ability to bring about change.
“We have, frankly, just had enough. We know what our worth is. We know what our rights are. We’re not afraid to show them,” the woman said:
“We know that this is one of the most — biggest days, like the biggest profit-heavy days for Starbucks, and we really want to show them, like, we can make an impact,” she added.
The largest Starbucks strike in HISTORY has officially kicked off.
— Starbucks Workers United (@SBWorkersUnited) November 16, 2023
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
In a social media post Thursday, the federation of unions AFL-CIO urged people to find a strike near them.
“Jingle bells, give ‘em hell, today is Red Cup Day! Oh what fun it is to fight to keep union busters at bay, hey!” the group said:
🔔 Jingle bells, give ‘em hell, today is Red Cup Day!
— AFL-CIO ✊ (@AFLCIO) November 16, 2023
Oh what fun it is to fight to keep union busters at bay, hey! 🎶
Find a @SBWorkersUnited #RedCupRebellion action near you & don't cross the picket line! 👏 https://t.co/cH7duiI8PL
In June, workers at about 150 Starbucks locations reportedly gathered to strike amid an argument over LGBTQQIAAP2s+ Pride decorations, per Breitbart News.
