Nationwide 'Red Cup Rebellion' Disrupts Holiday Promotion
More than 1,000 unionized Starbucks workers across at least 65 U.S. stores in 40 cities staged a nationwide walkout on Thursday, November 13, 2025. The protest, dubbed the 'Red Cup Rebellion' by organizers, strategically coincided with Starbucks' annual 'Red Cup Day,' a major promotional event known for being one of the company's busiest sales days. On this day, customers typically receive a free reusable red cup with the purchase of a holiday beverage.
The action was organized by Starbucks Workers United (SBWU), which represents thousands of baristas across the country. Workers aimed to disrupt the high-volume sales day to draw attention to their ongoing grievances with the coffee giant.
Demands for Fair Contracts and Improved Conditions
The primary catalyst for the walkout was the lack of progress in labor negotiations for a fair union contract. Unionized employees have been seeking improved working conditions, better staffing levels, and higher pay. Specific demands from workers include addressing issues such as understaffing, unpredictable scheduling, low wages, rising healthcare costs, and alleged harassment and unfair discipline. Workers also called for Starbucks to turn off mobile ordering on high-volume promotional days, citing the strain it places on understaffed stores.
The union has also highlighted hundreds of alleged unfair labor practice (ULP) charges filed against Starbucks, claiming the company has engaged in tactics to suppress unionization efforts. As of October 2024, over 11,000 workers at 500 Starbucks stores in at least 40 states had voted to unionize, primarily with Workers United.
Starbucks Responds to Strike Action
In response to the walkout, Starbucks expressed disappointment, stating that Workers United, which represents 'less than four per cent' of its partners, called for a strike instead of returning to the bargaining table. The company maintained that the vast majority of its U.S. stores remained open and operated as usual on Red Cup Day, claiming that 'less than 1 per cent' of its coffeehouses experienced any level of disruption.
Starbucks reiterated its stance that it offers competitive wages and benefits, describing employment at the company as 'the best job in retail.' A company spokesperson stated that Starbucks remains 'ready to progress in-person negotiations' and hopes the union's 'priorities will shift to include the shared success of our partners.' The company also noted that the union had 'walked away from the bargaining table in the spring.'
Ongoing Labor Dispute
The November 13 walkout marks another significant event in the ongoing labor dispute between Starbucks and its unionized workforce. With no immediate end date set for the strike, organizers indicated that more stores are prepared to join if a contract agreement is not reached. The union's 'No Contract, No Coffee' campaign continues to urge customers to support the workers' demands.
6 Comments
Bermudez
Why disrupt Red Cup Day? Just go back to the bargaining table and negotiate!
Africa
The union walked away from negotiations first. They're the real problem here.
Mariposa
Less than 4% of workers? This 'rebellion' is just a tiny, vocal minority.
Michelangelo
Good for them, hitting Starbucks where it really hurts them economically.
ZmeeLove
It's clear workers feel undervalued, and their right to strike is important for change. However, Starbucks does claim to offer competitive benefits, and a full solution requires compromise from both management and union leadership.
Bella Ciao
The union has valid concerns about understaffing and working conditions, especially during peak times. Yet, Starbucks points out the union walked away from the table, suggesting there's blame on both sides for the lack of progress.