Introduction to the Strike
It looks like there may be some clouds in Starbucks coffee. More than a month after unionized Starbucks workers went on strike calling for a contract, seeking more pay and better conditions, workers and supporters rallied on Christmas Eve outside a downtown Manhattan unionized store. As holiday music played inside and customers sipped coffee at the Starbucks Reserve Roastery at 61 Ninth Ave., striking workers picketed outside, chanting and carrying signs saying, “No contract, no coffee,” “They make billions. We make beans,” and “What’s outrageous? Starbucks wages.”
The Ongoing Strike
The baristas, whom Starbucks calls “partners,” sought to attract attention to an ongoing strike that started nearly 40 days ago. Recent rallies were held outside other New York City stores and nationwide, including the same day at Starbucks’ Seattle headquarters. “They are operating with borrowed partners,” Morgan Pagan, a Bronx resident and striking shift supervisor who has worked for Starbucks for seven years, said of some stores. “That means they are essentially sourcing partners from other stores in the district to fill the coverage of baristas on strike.” Kai Fritz, a barista at 8973 Bay Parkway in South Brooklyn, said her store is operating with workers and managers from other stores. “My entire team is on strike. Our staff is completely on strike,” Fritz said. “Because workers are on strike, we’re asking people not to buy Starbucks.”
State of the Union
Starbucks Workers United, an affiliate of the Service Employees International Union, said more than 1,000 workers are on strike in an “unfair labor practice” (ULP) strike that started Nov. 13 in what they call the “Red Cup Rebellion.” There are more than 170 unresolved labor complaints before the National Labor Relations Board. The union said they are protesting “Starbucks’ historic union busting and failure to finalize a fair union contract,” including six months without new proposals to address “better staffing, higher pay, and resolution for hundreds of unfair labor practice charges.” Starbucks Workers United, which represents over 11,000 baristas at more than 550 stores, said they are calling for “better hours to improve staffing.” “Too many baristas still aren’t getting enough hours to pay the bills or meet the threshold for benefits,” the union said.
Starbucks’ Response
CEO and Chairman Brian Niccol said he is implementing his “Back to Starbucks” plan to improve efficiency, sales and conditions, using algorithms to sequence orders, offering more free refills, writing customer names on cups and instituting worker-friendly changes. He said they “have provided additional coverage hours in over 3,000 stores,” “doubled paid parental leave for our U.S. retail teams” up to 18 weeks, and are committed to “promote internally for 90% of retail leadership roles in three years.” The company said they made a $500 million investment in additional hours and expanded rosters so that “there are more partners working during our busiest shifts.” Chief Partner Officer Sara Kelly said, “85% of partners get the hours they prefer, and shifts are more consistent than ever.”
A Working Wage
Starbucks’ salary remains a sticking point with the median hourly pay for a Starbucks barista at $14.73 in 2025, including 10 percent at $10.83 and 90 percent at $17.38, according to Payscale.com. Starbucks Calorie Calc said as of early 2025, the national average hourly wage at Starbucks was $15.23 to $15.55, translating to $31,000-$32,000 annually for full-time workers, with New York at $17-$20 an hour on average. Kelly, however, said hourly pay and benefits average more than $30 for hourly employees, including healthcare, paid parental leave, mental health benefits, Bean Stock and a bachelor’s degree. The union, however, said the “average barista doesn’t make a livable wage” with starting wages of $15.25 in 33 states “and too many aren’t getting the full hours they request.”
Public Support
Many tourists went into the store unaware of the details or demands bringing protestors to the picket line, while others said they support the picketers. “They’re making noise,” said Brian Roman, a tourist from Montpellier, France. “They are right. They are heard.” A passerby, who asked not to be identified, said he supported the strikers. “All I can say is that I sympathize,” he said. “I don’t think unions should be busted up.”
Conclusion
The strike at Starbucks has brought attention to the issues of low wages and poor working conditions faced by baristas. The union is seeking a fair contract that includes better pay, benefits, and working conditions. While Starbucks has made some concessions, the union says it is not enough. The strike has gained support from many, including tourists and locals, who believe that the baristas deserve a living wage and better treatment.
FAQs
Q: What is the main issue behind the Starbucks strike?
A: The main issue behind the strike is the low wages and poor working conditions faced by Starbucks baristas, who are seeking a fair contract that includes better pay, benefits, and working conditions.
Q: How many workers are on strike?
A: More than 1,000 workers are on strike in an “unfair labor practice” (ULP) strike that started Nov. 13.
Q: What is the median hourly pay for a Starbucks barista?
A: The median hourly pay for a Starbucks barista is $14.73 in 2025, according to Payscale.com.
Q: What is the national average hourly wage at Starbucks?
A: The national average hourly wage at Starbucks is $15.23 to $15.55, translating to $31,000-$32,000 annually for full-time workers.
Q: Has Starbucks made any concessions to the union?
A: Yes, Starbucks has made some concessions, including providing additional coverage hours in over 3,000 stores, doubling paid parental leave, and committing to promote internally for 90% of retail leadership roles in three years.
Q: What is the union seeking in the contract negotiations?
A: The union is seeking a fair contract that includes better pay, benefits, and working conditions, including better hours to improve staffing and a living wage for baristas.
