Starbucks employees at more than 100 locations across the US went on strike on the coffee chain’s busiest day of the year.
Thursday is Starbucks’ annual ‘Red Cup Day’ when they distribute free reusable red cups to customers who order from the holiday menu.
2,000 workers participated in the strike dubbed the “Red Cup Rebellion.”
AP reported:
Starbucks workers at more than 100 U.S. stores are on strike Thursday in their largest labor action since a campaign to unionize the company’s stores began late last year.
The walkouts coincide with Starbucks’ annual Red Cup Day, when the company gives free reusable cups to customers who order a holiday drink. Workers say it’s often one of the busiest days of the year. Starbucks declined to say how many red cups it plans to distribute.
Workers say they’re seeking better pay, more consistent schedules and higher staffing levels in busy stores. Stores in 25 states planned to take part in the labor action, according to Starbucks Workers United, the group organizing the effort. Strikers are handing out their own red cups with union logos.
Starbucks, which opposes the unionization effort, said it is aware of the walkouts and respects its employees’ right to lawfully protest. The Seattle company noted that the protests are happening at a small number of its 9,000 company-run U.S. locations.
About 2000 Starbucks workers at 100+ stores across the country are on strike today in a coordinated Red Cup Rebellion.@SBworkersUnited organizer Tori Tambellini explains why. pic.twitter.com/Ed44BpmHjN
— More Perfect Union (@MorePerfectUS) November 17, 2022
More from CNN:
More than 2,000 employees at 112 Starbucks locations are going on a one-day strike to protest the retaliation taken against union supporters nationwide. https://t.co/JWUfrdeVWc pic.twitter.com/MwYy4MUyqK
— CNN (@CNN) November 17, 2022
