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In a coordinated effort, over 1,000 unionized Starbucks employees are set to initiate a strike at 65 locations across the United States starting Thursday. The planned action is aimed at drawing attention to stalled labor negotiations, according to Starbucks Workers United, the union spearheading the organization of baristas.
This demonstration is strategically timed to coincide with Starbucks’ Red Cup Day, a key event in the company’s calendar known for drawing large crowds. On this day, Starbucks traditionally offers customers complimentary, reusable cups with the purchase of a holiday beverage, making it one of the busiest days of the year for the coffee chain.
The walkout is expected to affect stores in major urban centers such as New York, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, and Dallas, spanning 45 cities across 13 states. The union is utilizing this high-profile occasion to emphasize their demands and exert pressure on Starbucks to engage more earnestly in labor talks.
The ongoing disputes highlight the growing tensions between the company and its workforce as employees seek better working conditions and more substantial negotiations. As Starbucks faces potential disruptions on a crucial day for business, the strike underscores the union’s commitment to advocating for the rights and interests of its members.
Starbucks Workers United says the walkout will impact stores in 45 cities, across 13 states, including New York, Philadelphia, Minneapolis and Dallas.
Starbucks says fewer than 4% of its U.S. stores are unionized, and most stores will be operating normally.
The union working to organize the strikes said some stores are already shut down for the day due to staffing and they expect “dozens more” may follow.
The group said it is prepared to make it the longest strike in company history, declaring it a “Red Cup Rebellion.”
Which Starbucks stores are holding strikes on Red Cup Day?
Starbucks Workers United has yet to provide a full list of which 65 stores plan to strike, but said certain locations in these 45 cities may be impacted:
- Anaheim, California
- Long Beach, California
- San Diego, California
- Santa Clarita, California
- Santa Cruz, California
- Scotts Valley, California
- Seal Beach, California
- Soquel, California
- Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Lafayette, Colorado
- Alpharetta, Georgia
- Roswell, Georgia
- Des Plaines, Illinois
- Evanston, Illinois
- Geneva, Illinois
- Chanhassen, Minnesota
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Saint Louis, Missouri
- Brooklyn, New York
- New York, New York
- Columbus, Ohio
- Lewis Center, Ohio
- Reynoldsburg, Ohio
- Upper Arlington, Ohio
- Worthington, Ohio
- Beaverton, Oregon
- Damascus, Oregon
- Eugene, Oregon
- Gresham, Oregon
- Portland, Oregon
- Dickson City, Pennsylvania
- Lancaster, Pennsylvania
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Austin Texas
- Dallas, Texas
- Denton, Texas
- Farmers Branch, Texas
- Mechanicsville, Virginia
- Richmond, Virginia
- Redmond, Washington
- Seattle, Washington
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