About 2,500 Starbucks baristas strike across 120 stores amid ongoing union negotiations
As of late November 2025, approximately 2,500 Starbucks baristas were on strike across 120 stores in 85 U.S. cities. They are represented by the Starbucks Workers United union, which encompasses roughly 11,000 workers at more than 550 stores nationwide. The organizing effort began in Buffalo, New York, where the first U.S. Starbucks store voted to unionize in December 2021, sparking a nationwide wave of unionization drives.
The union has filed hundreds of unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), stating that dozens of union leaders have been fired during the campaign, though some have been reinstated. Starbucks has undergone multiple CEO changes during this period, including the stepping down of Kevin Johnson, the return and opposition of Howard Schultz to recognizing the union, and later leadership by Laxman Narasimhan and Brian Niccol.
In 2024, a framework was reached for collective bargaining agreements, yet no first contract has been finalized. Typically, first contracts are negotiated within about 15 months, but the Buffalo case has endured for approximately 48 months. The union has warned it may escalate the strike beyond its current footprint if executives do not make concessions during ongoing contract talks.
Despite the strikes, Starbucks reports that 99% of its U.S. locations remain open and holiday sales remain strong. Meanwhile, the union continues to lead protests including Red Cup Day actions in 2022 and 2023 and a distribution-center blockade. The union seeks improvements in wages, benefits, and working conditions, asserting that the delays in bargaining amount to punishment for organizing efforts. Starbucks highlights that hourly partners earn an average of about $30 per hour and notes ongoing negotiations.
Political and public attention has intensified, with over 100 members of Congress urging prompt negotiations. New York mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, Seattle mayor-elect Katie Wilson, and Senator Bernie Sanders have shown support by appearing on picket lines, reflecting broadening solidarity with the unionized baristas.
