Starbucks Workers Strike Across US Demanding First Union Contract
Since 13 November 2025, over 1,000 Starbucks workers have been participating in an open-ended unfair labor practices strike in more than 40 US cities, coinciding with Starbucks' 'Red Cup Day.' The strike, potentially the largest and longest in the company's history, is led by Starbucks Workers United, which represents approximately 11,000 baristas at over 550 stores. The union aims to secure its first contract, with the initial store to unionize located in Buffalo, New York, in December 2021.
Negotiations over the union contract have stalled, primarily due to economic terms. The union has filed dozens of unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), including allegations of bad-faith bargaining and actions undermining the union's status. Around 92% of union members voted to authorize the open-ended strike, and the union is threatening to extend the campaign to additional stores if negotiations fail, under the banner 'no contract, no coffee.'
Starbucks states that the strike has not significantly disrupted operations, with over 99% of its approximately 17,000 US stores remaining open. The affected stores number about 65, with the union representing roughly 4% of partners. The company asserts that hourly employees are already paid on average more than $30 per hour in wages and benefits.
Political support for the union includes letters from 26 US senators and 82 House representatives urging CEO Brian Niccol to reach a contract agreement; no Republicans signed these letters. Public backing has also come from city leaders such as New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and Seattle Mayor-elect Katie Wilson, who have called for boycotts and encouraged consumers to support the striking workers.
The strike takes place amid broader business challenges for Starbucks. After seven quarters of weak growth, the company posted 1% sales growth in October 2025, though its shares have declined by about 10% year-to-date. Leadership changes over recent years have included the return of Howard Schultz as CEO in 2022, followed by Kevin Johnson, then Brian Niccol. Niccol is currently overseeing the 'Back to Starbucks' plan, which includes job cuts and store closures.
