Topline
Starbucks’ “Red Cup Rebellion” strike enters its fifth week without resolution, as more unionized U.S. stores have joined the effort and support spreads internationally, with demonstrations in 17 cities and 14 countries.
New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani (R) and US Senator Bernie Sanders (L) join striking Starbucks workers in New York on December 1, 2025. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP via Getty Images)
AFP via Getty Images
Key Facts
In the latest Starbucks Workers United action, baristas in 36 new stores across 34 cities have joined the “Red Cup Rebellion” strike over alleged unfair labor practices.
On Wednesday, baristas and local community leaders staged a rally at the Chicago Reserve Roastery—the company’s largest store, which closed that day and voted against joining the union in August 2023—to kick off a continuous two-day “Downtown Throwdown” protest at Starbucks locations across Chicago.
Also on Wednesday, baristas and union supporters internationally held demonstrations at cafes and corporate offices to show solidarity with U.S. union workers, including in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, England, France, Indonesia and the Netherlands.
Since the strike began on November 13 to coincide with Starbuck’s popular “Red Cup Day” when it gives away free collectible cups, over 3,800 baristas in 180 stores and 130 cities are now participating.
Key Background
Wednesday’s actions are symbolic, coming four years to the day that baristas at the first Starbucks store in Buffalo, NY voted to unionize. Since then, some 9,500 baristas in 550 stores have joined Starbucks Workers United—representing fewer than 1% of Starbucks’ 10,000+ U.S. company-owned locations and less than 4% of its baristas. Yet, over those four years, union members have worked without a contract, despite limited strike actions in September 22, November 2023 and the five-day “Strike Before Christmas” that closed some 170 stores on Christmas Eve, 2024. This year’s “Red Cup Rebellion” is the longest strike in company history, with its rallying cry “No Contract, No Coffee.”
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