Starbucks Red Cup Rebellion Is the Largest Work Stoppage in Company History

Thousands of Starbucks workers walked off the job on “Red Cup Day,” Thursday, Nov. 16. “Red Cup Day” is an annual promotion in which the coffee chain gives out reusable cups to customers who order holiday drinks. This particular day was chosen to stage the walkout since it’s usually one of the busiest days of the year at Starbucks.

Workers were striking to draw attention to ongoing complaints about staffing, scheduling, and other workplace issues. The labor group Starbucks Workers United has thus far organized about 360 Starbucks stores, a small percentage of the company’s more than 9,000 U.S. locations, according to CBS News.

Starbucks Workers United said the “Red Cup Rebellion” was the largest ever work stoppage in the history of the company. Per CNN, “thousands of Starbucks workers at hundreds of stores went on strike.”

Starbucks employee Juniper Schweitzer told CBS, “They have promised the world to us and they have not delivered.” Schweitzer picketed outside her Chicago store on Thursday and has worked at Starbucks for 16 years.

Starbucks Workers United accused the coffee giant of using stall tactics to avoid coming to terms on a labor contract. Executives with the restaurant chain blame the union for the impasse.

In a statement on X, Starbucks Workers United wrote on November 16, “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!”

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!

We need YOU to add your voice — Click to call Starbucks and support striking baristas! https://t.co/7xpT3bRB5D pic.twitter.com/k69TlFcFlF

— Starbucks Workers United (@SBWorkersUnited) November 16, 2023

“We have nearly 10,000 stores open right now delighting our customers with the joy of Red Cup Day. There are also a few dozen stores with some partners on strike, and more than half of those stores are open this morning serving customers,” a Starbucks spokesperson said in a statement to CBS about the day-long strike.

This strike comes on the heels of a movement on June 23 this year, where Starbucks workers nationwide participated in Strike with Pride. This was a week-long strike regarding unfair labor practices that called for Starbucks to “negotiate a fair contract with union stores and stop their illegal union-busting campaign, which has significantly impacted Starbucks’ LGBTQIA+ workforce,” according to its official website.

On Nov. 6, The Associated Press reported Starbucks plans to increase pay and benefits for most U.S. hourly workers after ending its fiscal year in the black. The coffee chain is set to raise wages — which presently average $17.50 an hour — starting on Jan. 1.