Denver, CO – On February 21, Starbucks Workers United (SBWU) organized a Strike Day of Action at the unionized Starbucks store on 16th Street in Denver, Colorado, to rally workers and supporters to demand the company stop stonewalling contract negotiations and bargain a decent contract with their unionized workers.

“I got this job for the benefits, which are being eroded away. I love this job enough to want to make it better for myself and all my coworkers,” said a striking Starbucks barista.

SBWU and Starbucks have been in negotiations for the first Starbucks contract since 2021, with Starbucks CEO Bryan Nichols facing mounting pressure from the striking workers. Starbucks workers started the Red Cup Rebellion strike on November 13, 2025, demanding livable wages, full staffing with reasonable hours, and transgender inclusive healthcare. The strike has expanded to over 190 stores across over 130 cities, making it the largest and longest work stoppage in Starbucks history.

“We want to make it clear to Starbucks and their customers that we want the company to come back to the bargaining table and negotiate a fair contract that works for both parties,” said Lucille Wayne, Starbucks barista and SBWU strike captain. “We've been unionized for four years. Starbucks has been stonewalling us this entire time. Workers are living paycheck to paycheck, we're getting scheduled less hours and losing our healthcare.”

Since unionization efforts began in December 2021 Starbucks has failed to meet workers' demands and has amassed over 1000 Unfair Labor Practice charges for union-busting, retaliatory firings, surveillance, and failure to bargain in good faith.

“There's been no progress in bargaining since late 2024. Starbucks doesn't want to give in to our very reasonable demands,” said Naomi Wilson, Starbucks barista and event organizer.

Supporters from the community, along with organizers from Teamsters for a Democratic Union and Democratic Socialists of America came to support the picket line. SBWU organizers and event attendees chanted “What's disgusting? Union busting! What's outrageous, Starbucks wages” and “No contract, no coffee” to dozens of community members in attendance and hundreds of passersby, most of whom did not cross the picket line.

The strike is set to end on February 24, with workers scheduled to return to work the next day. Despite the end of the strike, workers expressed that they will continue organizing, canvassing other Starbucks stores to gain more support for the union, and to sign up additional workers to join SBWU.

“I hope to see more stores get organized. We've been canvassing to help other stores unionize. If you're interested in unionizing go to SBWorkersUnited.org”, said Naomi Wilson as the event came to a close.

#DenverCO #CO #Labor #Starbucks #SBWU #Strike

Oviedo, FL – Workers from the Starbucks Workers United (SBWU) at the Oviedo Starbucks store on Mitchell-Hammock Road joined the nationwide Red Cup Rebellion strike on December 11, taking to the picket line to fight for a decent contract from the multi-billion dollar corporation.

Starbucks has stalled negotiations with SBWU, refusing to meet any economic demands of the workers and failing to address the issues of staffing, scheduling and unfair labor practices that are rampant in stores. Starbucks workers in Oviedo have long dealt with these issues, all while facing the rising cost of living in central Florida.

On the morning of Friday, December 19, the strike was still going strong and the energy was high on the sidewalk outside of the store, where about 15 workers and allies gathered for a picket and march. Slogans like “Understaffing, underpaid, that’s how your coffee’s made!” and “What’s outrageous? Starbucks wages!” were heard from the store and the drive-thru.

Since the strike began, managers have brought in scabs to keep the store operating for limited hours, closing every day at noon. Members of the union informed drivers entering the parking lot about the strike, successfully redirecting several people away from the store and towards other local coffee shops.

“We’ve had a lot of support from the community,” said Clay Blastic, one of the strike captains for the Oviedo store. “We have people coming by and dropping off bagels and donuts and coffee for us. We were able to talk to people and convince them not to come through and respect our picket line.”

Niko Orgolan, a member of SBWU, reflected on how union organizers should navigate ignorant or defeatist ideas towards the union. “When I approach these conversations, I break it down in terms of goals, because it’s no secret that everyone is struggling. I think that anger is generally directed in the wrong direction – If your solution is ‘get another job,’ or ‘it's not working,’ what do you suggest? Because in getting another job, the solution you're opting for is that someone always has to suffer.”

Blastic highlighted the importance of worker solidarity, stating, “A rising tide lifts all boats, but if we all stand together, we’re able to ask for more because we’re the ones that are doing the work. We’re the ones that are pulling the shots. It only makes sense that we have a greater say in our workplace.”

It is evident that the workers at the Oviedo Starbucks have a strong union that is ready to carry on the fight for a better workplace alongside hundreds of unionized stores across the country. If you would like to support the striking workers, join the boycott of Starbucks and donate to the Oviedo Starbucks Strike Fund.

#OviedoFL #FL #Labor #Starbucks #SBWU

Clearwater, FL – Starbucks baristas and their supporters dug in outside the Starbucks location in downtown Clearwater as part of the nationwide “Red Cup Rebellion” starting on Thursday, December 11. Forming a picket, they chanted pro-union slogans such as “No contract, no coffee” and “Understaffing, lousy pay, that is how your coffee’s made,” they shut down the store for the duration of the strike.

Passing commuters, in addition to those who approached learning they would not be able to get a cup of coffee in the store, were supportive of the strikers’ demands.

The Red Cup Rebellion is part of a campaign by Starbucks Workers United (SBWU) to win a contract at unionized Starbucks stores across the United States. While hundreds of stores have been organized since 2021, Starbucks is refusing to budge. Starbucks, like many in the service and fast food industry, benefits greatly from its non-union workforce, which is under conditions that are entirely at the whims of management.

“We need a living wage and better hours, we can’t live off of four, four hour shifts a week in Florida,” said Jay Ciardiello, one of the baristas holding the picket down.

The Clearwater strike will extend at least through Wednesday, December 17. Hundreds of other Starbucks stores are being struck across the busy holiday season in December in order to put pressure on Starbucks and especially Starbuck’s CEO Bryan Niccol.

#ClearwaterFL #FL #Labor #Starbucks #SBWU #Strike

River Ridge, LA – On December 11, Starbucks workers at the unionized store on River Ridge participated in the nationwide “Red Cup Rebellion” strike. This open-ended strike has expanded to over 180 stores across 130 cities, making it the longest work stoppage in Starbucks history.

The River Ridge Starbucks has been unionized since May of 2024. It is the only store in their district that is unionized and is an excellent example of strong rank-and-file militancy. The store also struck in 2024 during the national “Strikemas.” Starbucks Workers United (SBWU) and the company have been in negotiations for the first Starbucks contract since 2021.

“The company is completely stalling,” stated Rocky Palacios, a Starbucks barista and member of her store’s bargaining committee. “They keep telling us that what we have is good enough, and won’t come to the table with anything else,” said Palacios.

This year, it was discovered that Starbucks CEO Brian Niccols has the largest pay discrepancy between CEO and workers across all major companies. “Brian Niccols makes 6666 times more than the average Starbucks barista but isn’t even willing to give us a $1 raise,” said Palacios.

“We’re just looking for more hours, better take-home pay, and fair staffing,” said Laine Arendt. Arendt is a strong leader in the River Ridge store and recently spoke on Labor Note’s “Troublemakers School” panel. “We’re demanding that Starbucks come back to the table and bargain in good faith. Enough is enough, we will keep striking until we get our contract!” said Arendt.

The baristas were joined on the picket line by numerous community members. While they marched, they yelled “No contract, no coffee!” and “No workers, no Starbucks!” as cars drove by and honked in support.

Nick Heard, a former SBWU barista and his store’s bargaining delegate, joined the River Ridge baristas out on the picket line. Heard worked at one of three unionized stores in New Orleans. “Two months ago, we were one of three stores in the city to be shut down as they closed over 500 stores across the country. Two of the stores closed were unionized,” stated Heard. This follows a similar trend across the country in a blatant union-busting attack. This attack was a catalyst for the “Red Cup Rebellion” strike.

“We were only given two days of notice before we were out of a job,” said Heard. “Because I was a leader in the union at my store, I was denied a transfer to a different store and had my application rejected at another.”

Despite not working on the shop floor anymore, Heard has continued to show solidarity among union baristas. This sense of worker solidarity was seen all across the picket line. As SBWU barista Robin Lobel put it, “We’re fighting for a better workplace for everyone. If you have a job, we’re fighting for you too.”

The River Ridge Starbucks has won a lot through the power of their union. “We marched on the boss and got her to quit, and successfully got a barista’s job back after she was unfairly fired,” said Arendt. “This shows you the power of organizing.”

After picketing all morning, the baristas secured a victory by forcing the store to close at noon. Celebratory baristas chanted “When we fight, we win!”

#RiverRidgeLA #LA #Labor #Starbucks #SBWU

San Jose, CA – Since the start of December, the Starbucks Workers’ Union (SBWU) has been on a national strike. In what has been dubbed the “Red Cup Rebellion,” the aim of the workers has been to disrupt the Starbucks corporation during one of its traditionally most busy times, the holiday season.

In San Jose, the SBWU has voted to join the strike. Devasya Kumar, a barista and strike captain of the Capitol Square Mall Starbucks location, shared his store’s experience in participating in the strike. He captains the evening picket line. His store has shut down completely.

Kumar explained, “Our first and foremost reason for going on strike nationally is that we’re on an unfair labor practices strike. The company has, since our first union store up in Buffalo, had hundreds of labor violations. To this day most of them have not been corrected or rectified whatsoever. The baristas who suffered under this straight up illegal oppression, they have not seen justice.”

The signs held up by the picketers’ included slogans such as “No contract, no Starbucks!” and “Baristas on strike!”

Kumar stated, “We reached our boiling point after years and years of stalling negotiations and Starbucks just refusing to show up at the table and right their wrongs. We reached the boiling point.” He also discussed the eagerness of his fellow workers going on strike in spite of their relative lack of experience.

“At the moment, we are the only store in San Jose is striking. It is quite a burden for all of us. But, if we're not going to do it, who else is going to do it for us?” Kumar continued, “The baristas here at Capitol Square Mall are willing to face that uncertainty no matter what, and they're willing to fight for a good contract.”

The SBWU nationally has been struggling for a better contract for years now, and with Starbucks CEO Bryan Nichols facing mounting pressure from both the striking workers and his own shareholders, many of the strikers are hopeful for a breakthrough in negotiations.

“The more you ignore a union,” Kumar explained, “the more it's going to strike later on and it's just going to keep happening and happening.”

When asked if he had any calls to action as to ways people outside of the SBWU could support baristas in their fight for a fair contract, Kumar said, “In the least, just don't buy Starbucks from anywhere, even Target, don't engage with the company. Support your workers and just remember, you know, even if you're not in the service industry or the fast food industry, a strong, united, unionized working class benefits everyone, not just the fast food industry, not just baristas.”

Kumar concluded, “The stronger the working class in one area, the stronger it will become in another. It will ripple, it will spread. So just know that we are out here and we are not only fighting for our interest, but also yours.”

The Red Cup Rebellion is expected to continue through the duration of December, and much of the union is intent on mounting further strike actions until Bryan Nichols and Starbucks management is willing to make concessions.

#SanJoseCA #CA #Labor #Starbucks #SBWU #Strike

Palm Springs, FL – Starbucks workers in Palm Springs are entering the fourth day of a powerful strike that has already forced multiple store closures and exposed the company’s reliance on overworked, understaffed non-union labor.

The strike, organized by Starbucks Workers United (SBWU), has seen strong participation from the vast majority of workers at the store, many of whom are balancing full-time school and second jobs but remain committed to standing up to corporate greed.

The action began at 7 a.m. on December 4, when workers walked off the job and established a picket line at the store’s entrance while supporters leafleted the drive-thru. Scab labor was unable to keep up with the morning rush, leading Starbucks management to shut down the store early. Throughout the day, striking workers reaffirmed their unity, even confronting scabbing coworkers and urging them to stand with the union. At least one has since committed to joining SBWU.

Day two brought another early store closure as striking workers held the line until 6 p.m. Supporters launched a strike fund to support the workers, raising hundreds of dollars within the first 24 hours. Flyers and outreach have extended into the broader community, with plans underway to leaflet additional Starbucks locations and build toward a rally on December 13 at 2 p.m.

On day three, worker turnout remained exceptionally strong, with over a dozen striking workers arriving between 7 and 9 a.m. Their determination contrasts sharply with Starbucks management’s inability to operate the store without them. Around 11 a.m., one of the scabs walked off the job, calling conditions “unbearable.” Starbucks again closed early.

“Workers are proving every day that this store runs because of them—not because of corporate or overpaid managers,” a union supporter said. “The solidarity on the picket line show exactly why Starbucks workers across the country are rising up.”

SBWU organizers plan to continue daily pickets, expand outreach to other stores in the region, and build broader community support ahead of next weekend’s rally. The workers have vowed to maintain their action until Starbucks bargains in good faith and addresses the ongoing unfair labor practices.

#PalmSpringsFL #FL #Labor #Starbucks #SBWU #Strike

Colorado Springs, CO – On November 13, workers from the Starbucks Workers United (SBWU) rallied with their allies at a unionized Starbucks store in Colorado Springs to begin their “Red Cup Rebellion, ” strike against unfair labor practice. SBWU called this strike after Starbucks refused to finalize a union contract earlier in the year that would address worker demands for higher pay, better staffing, and address hundreds of unfair labor practice charges.

Around 90 people picketed in front of the drive-through window of the Starbucks store holding picket signs and shouting phrases like “What’s disgusting? Union busting!” and “What’s appalling? Bosses stalling!” Among them were allies from both the general community as well as several organizations, such as the Colorado Springs Labor Council, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Democratic Socialists of America, and Teamsters for a Democratic Union.

Before the picket, members from SBWU spoke in front of the crowd, railing against Starbucks’ anti-worker practices and highlighting the importance of worker solidarity.

“The bosses are scared because they realize we have the control and they don’t want us to know that,” said Raven Sage, SBWU strike captain. “These are the same bosses that say we don’t work hard enough, and yet they’ve never worn a green apron,” Sage continued, as she spoke about the CEO Brian Niccol, who h