Red Cup Rebellion Continues To Expand As Strike Set To Become Longest In Starbucks' History – CoffeeTalk

The Starbucks workers’ union has expanded its indefinite strike, demanding improved pay and staffing, to over 120 stores from 65 as of Friday. The strike, which began on Red Cup Day, November 13, marks the longest in Starbucks’ history and coincides with Black Friday, a peak retail time. Despite the union’s escalation, Starbucks claims that 99% of its locations remain operational, with only 55 of its more than 17,000 U.S. stores closed as a result of the strike. A company spokesperson indicated they do not foresee significant disruptions, noting that staffing can continue with remaining employees.

The striking baristas are advocating for higher wages, better working conditions, and resolutions to numerous unfair labor practice charges linked to union busting. Contract negotiations remain unresolved, as prior mediation efforts failed, leaving both sides blaming each other for the deadlock following the rejection of a proposal in April that aimed to ensure annual raises of at least 2%. Labor expert Harry Katz emphasized that management’s ability to hire replacement workers diminishes the union’s negotiating leverage.

Long-term implications of the strike may negatively affect Starbucks’ public relations; however, legal scholar Michael Duff suggests that the company, facing market volatility, is likely to seek a swift resolution. Additionally, on the same day, unionized workers at Amazon warehouses in Germany initiated strikes, targeting key sales periods as part of their push for a collective bargaining agreement, with demonstrations also planned outside Zara stores in Spain. Starbucks Workers United represents approximately 11,000 baristas across 550 stores and has strategically chosen to launch strikes during high-traffic holiday events, such as Red Cup Day, when Starbucks distributes reusable holiday-themed cups to customers along with their coffee purchases.

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