Archive · 7 Nov 2025
Starbucks Workers Announce 'Biggest Strike' Amid Contract Negotiations
Imagine your favorite coffee shop, Starbucks.
Some of the people who work there are trying to form a team, like a union, to talk with the bosses about making their jobs better.
They want more money, better help with tasks, and for the company to fix some problems they say have happened.
They have been trying to agree on these things for a long time.
Now, many of them have voted to stop working for a little while, like a strike, if they can't make a deal.
This might happen on November 13th, which is a very busy day for Starbucks because they have a special sale.
If they do strike, it could make it hard for people to get their coffee.
The company says they already pay their workers well and offer good benefits.
But the workers disagree and want to make sure their jobs are truly the best.
They are ready to take a big action if the company doesn't listen to them.
Starbucks Workers United has announced its members are planning their 'biggest strike' ever, potentially impacting over 25 cities starting November 13.
The union represents employees at approximately 550 of Starbucks' 10,000 company-run U.S. stores.
Workers are striking to secure a contract addressing demands for better staffing, higher pay, and resolution of unfair labor practice charges.
The strike is planned to coincide with Starbucks' major promotional event, Red Cup Day, a historically busy day for the company.
Starbucks maintains it offers competitive wages and benefits, averaging $30 per hour, while the union disputes this and seeks to make jobs the best in retail.
- Who
- Starbucks Workers United, representing employees at about 550 Starbucks stores in the U.S.
- What
- Planning and authorizing the 'biggest strike ever' if a new contract is not reached, demanding better staffing, higher pay, and resolution of unfair labor practice charges.
- When
- Starting November 13, targeting the company's major promotional event, Red Cup Day.
- Where
- More than 25 cities across the U.S.
- Why
- To secure a contract after years of unsuccessful talks and to address demands for improved working conditions and compensation.
Starbucks Workers United
Starbucks Management
Wages and Compensation
Starbucks Workers United
Workers demand higher pay, disputing Starbucks' claim of an average $30 per hour package and stating their fight is to make Starbucks jobs the best in retail.
Starbucks Management
Starbucks claims to offer the best wages, benefits, and package in the retail industry, averaging $30 per hour for hourly partners, and boasts the lowest turnover rate.
Contract Negotiations and Unfair Labor Practices
Starbucks Workers United
Starbucks has refused to offer new proposals for six months, leading to demands for a fair union contract and resolution of hundreds of unfair labor practice charges.
Starbucks Management
The company views its current employment conditions as the best in retail and has not explicitly addressed the charges of refusing new proposals or unfair labor practices in the provided text, though it denies wages are too low.
- Union Representative
- Starbucks Workers United
- Stores Represented
- Approximately 550 out of 10,000 company-run U.S. stores
- Strike Authorization Vote
- 92% in favor
- Planned Strike Start Date
- November 13
- Key Promotional Event Targeted
- Red Cup Day
- Stated Worker Demands
- Better staffing, higher pay, resolution of unfair labor practice charges, fair union contract
- Starbucks Claimed Average Hourly Pay
- $30