Emerging Starbucks Union Announces ‘Red Cup Rebellion’ Walkout

In a brewing storm, Starbucks Workers United has announced its efforts for a Starbucks union and declared that numerous employees across the country will launch a strike this week. The protest, aptly named the “Red Cup Rebellion,” is set to occur during Red Cup Day on Nov. 16 — an annual Starbucks event known for bustling activity and free reusable cup giveaways.

The union issued a statement this Monday, detailing the demands of the workers. The primary requests focus on the coffee giant’s alleged illegal refusal to discuss significant matters such as staffing, scheduling, and other associated issues with the baristas.

In addition to this, the protesting workers are demanding that Starbucks disable its mobile ordering feature during future promotional events to mitigate the pressure on the employees.

As part of the planned walkout, striking employees will engage with their co-workers at nonunion locations across various cities, inviting them to join the union’s cause, as per the official statement.

The Starbucks company has also released a statement:

“We are aware that Workers United has publicized a day of action at a small subset of our U.S. stores. We remain committed to working with all partners, side-by-side, to elevate the everyday, 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. As we join together to uplift the holiday season and reflect on the past year, we again call on Workers United to fulfill their obligations and engage in the work of negotiating first contracts on behalf of the partners they represent. Starbucks remains ready to progress in-person negotiations with the unions certified to represent partners.”

Starbucks spokesperson Andrew Trull via USA Today

Red Cup Day is one of Starbucks’ busiest days of the year, making it an apt backdrop for the union’s protest. Early this fall, workers lodged an unfair labor practice complaint against Starbucks with the National Labor Relations Board. The complaint arose from Starbucks’ alleged refusal to engage in discussions pertaining to promotional days.

The union’s statement clarified their grievances: “Promotion days like Red Cup Day, half-off ThursYays, and Buy One Get One Free offers cause a flood of customers to stores without any additional staffing to cover the influx of orders.”