Starbucks’ (SBUX) unionized workers are escalating their current strike to more than 120 stores in 85 cities on Black Friday (Nov. 28).
The workers have been staging strikes in recent weeks as they demand higher wages and increased staffing levels across the Seattle-based coffee chain.
The current labour action began on Starbucks’ annual Red Cup Day Nov. 13 ?with 65 stores in 40 cities.
The strike is now being escalated on Black Friday, the busiest time of year for retailers when shoppers hunt for bargains ahead of Christmas.
However, very few of Starbucks’ locations are part of the Starbucks Workers United union, which is trying to organize more store locations.
Workers United says it represents 11,000 workers at 550 Starbucks locations, primarily in the U.S.
However, Starbucks has more than 17,000 coffee houses in the U.S. and says that 99% of them remain open on Black Friday.
Contract talks between the union and management remain stalled despite ?mediation efforts earlier this year.
Starbucks Workers United has repeatedly targeted the ?company's busy holiday season ?and Red Cup Day, when Starbucks hands out reusable red holiday-themed cups to customers for free.
Workers have staged what they call “Red Cup Rebellions”? since 2022, and in December 2024, some employees walked off the job for five days over unresolved ?wage and staffing issues.
This is the longest job action yet by the unionized workers.
SBUX stock is down 6% this year and trading at $86.70 U.S. per share.
Related Stories
