Yes — unionised baristas at Starbucks have launched a strike across the U.S. The walk-out began on Thursday November 13, 2025, timed to coincide with Starbucks’ major “Red Cup Day” promotion. More than 1,000 workers at about 65 stores in at least 40 cities are participating in the action.
Table of Contents
Why the Strike Is Happening
Contract Impasse
The strike stems from failed negotiations between the baristas’ union, Starbucks Workers United (SWU), and Starbucks. Talks formally began in April 2024, but according to union organisers, meaningful progress stalled and the parties broke off in December without a full agreement.
Key Demands
Workers involved in the strike are pressing for:
- Higher wages and steadier, predictable hours in stores.
- Improved staffing levels, citing long customer wait times and pressure on baristas.
- Resolution of dozens or hundreds of alleged unfair-labor-practice claims, including allegations of retaliation for unionising and changes to workplace policies without bargaining.
Strategic Timing: Red Cup Day
Starbucks’ annual Red Cup Day is one of its highest-traffic promotions of the year (when the chain gives away reusable red holiday cups with qualifying purchases). By launching the action on that day, the union seeks to maximise visibility and pressure on Starbucks leadership.
Scope of the Strike: Where and How Many
- The union reports over 1,000 workers at roughly 65 stores in more than 40 U.S. cities have walked off the job.
- Participating cities include New York City, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, San Diego, Dallas and Seattle.
- Starbucks says the strike affects less than 1% of its U.S. company-owned stores (which number more than 10,000).
- The strike is open-ended: there is no scheduled end date, and the union has signalled more stores may join if no contract is reached.
| Metric | Reported Figures |
|---|---|
| Initial stores involved | ~65 |
| Cities affected | ~40+ |
| Union-represented stores (approx.) | ~550 store locations |
| End date for strike | None set (open-ended) |
Company Response & Perspective
Starbucks emphasises that it already offers competitive wages and benefits — stating that the average job value for hourly “partners” (baristas) in the U.S. is about $30 per hour including pay and benefits. The company also notes that the union represents only a small slice of its overall U.S. workforce (around 4% of partners) and says the union walked away from bargaining.
In publicly released statements, Starbucks expressed disappointment the union chose to strike rather than return to the table. The company reiterated its readiness to negotiate when the union is willing.
What Happens Next?
- Because the strike has no scheduled end date, it may escalate if Starbucks does not return to bargaining in “good faith”.
- Additional unionised stores may join the strike over coming days or weeks, particularly if the current round fails to produce movement.
- For customers, most Starbucks locations remain open and operating; however, some stores participating in the strike may close temporarily or offer limited service.
- The event occurs amid Starbucks’ broader turnaround efforts under CEO Brian Niccol, which include store closures, staffing-restructuring and a push to improve the customer experience.
Why This Matters for U.S. Retail and Labour
- The strike highlights a rising trend of labour activism in the U.S. service-/retail sectors. Younger workers increasingly demand stronger protections, better wages, predictable scheduling and meaningful collective bargaining.
- For Starbucks—one of the most visible consumer-brands globally—the disruption occurs during the high-visibility holiday season and at one of its biggest promotional events of the year. That elevates reputational risk even though the initial impact is modest.
- More broadly, if this strike expands or becomes sustained, it may signal that major consumer-facing brands could face similar disruptions unless labour concerns are addressed proactively.
Final Thoughts
So, are Starbucks workers on strike? Yes: unionised baristas at Starbucks have commenced strike action today, demanding a binding contract and better working conditions. Whether this develops into a widespread, sustained stoppage remains to be seen — but the potential for escalation is real.
We’d love to hear your thoughts — let us know how local stores are responding in your area and whether you’re seeing signs of the stoppage at a Starbucks near you.