Starbucks Workers Strike

A Stand for Fairness Against Corporate Resistance

In December 2024, Starbucks Workers United (SBWU) organized a nationwide strike, marking a major escalation in their ongoing fight for fair wages, better working conditions, and an end to alleged union-busting practices by the coffee company. Called “Strikemas,” the action started on December 20 and ended on Christmas Eve, involving over 10,000 baristas at more than 300 stores across the country.

The Purpose: A Call for Fair Treatment

The strike was a direct response to what SBWU described as Starbucks’ failure to negotiate in good faith. Workers demanded:

• A base wage of at least $20 per hour, with higher rates in high-cost-of-living areas.
• Healthcare benefit improvements.
• Protections against union-busting.
• A fair process to obtain consistent schedules.

Barista Devasya Kumar from San Jose highlighted the gap between executive pay and worker wages, noting that Starbucks’ new CEO received a $113 million compensation package, while workers got minimal raises.

The Results: Limited Concessions Amidst Ongoing Struggles

Although the strike gained national attention, the immediate results were limited. Starbucks didn’t make major concessions, and many stores stayed closed during the strike. Still, the event highlighted the growing divide between the company’s management and its workers.

SBWU’s demands for a fair contract and better working conditions remain unmet, and the organization has pledged to keep fighting until real changes are made.

Union-Busting Allegations: A Pattern of Resistance

Starbucks has faced numerous allegations of union-busting activities since the start of the unionization movement in 2021. According to the Economic Policy Institute, as of February 2024, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) had docketed 771 open or settled unfair labor practice charges against Starbucks.

 

Specific instances include:

• The unlawful termination of baristas Echo Nowakowska and Tristan Bussiere in Philadelphia for their union activities.
• The closure of unionized stores in Ithaca, New York, was deemed a violation of labor laws by an administrative law judge.
• Allegations that wage increases and benefits are being extended only to non-unionized workers, creating a divide among employees.

These actions have faced criticism from lawmakers and labor advocates, who argue that Starbucks’ practices weaken workers’ rights to organize and negotiate collectively.

Looking Ahead: A Continued Fight for Workers’ Rights

The December 2024 strike highlighted the ongoing struggles faced by Starbucks workers in their fight for fair treatment. While the immediate effect on the company’s operations was limited, the strike served as a strong reminder of the workers’ determination and the growing momentum of the labor movement within the company.

As the legal battles continue and public scrutiny grows, the future of Starbucks’ labor relations remains uncertain. However, the actions taken by SBWU indicate a strong effort to improve conditions and rights for workers in the coffee industry.

Call to Action: It’s Time to Unite for What We Deserve

To every Starbucks barista working through endless rushes, to every shift supervisor managing schedules and short staffing, and to every partner who’s poured their energy into making someone’s day — you deserve more than corporate clichés and hollow promises.

In December 2024, thousands of us walked out—not out of anger, but out of hope. Hope for a future where we don’t have to choose between rent and groceries. Hope for dependable schedules, safety we can trust, and wages that cover our needs. That strike was not the end—it was just the beginning.

What we did was part of something bigger: a growing wave of worker-led action building toward a general strike—a collective stand across industries to demand fairness and dignity. When coffee workers, auto workers, teachers, and warehouse staff stand together, we’re not just fighting for our own contracts—we’re fighting for the future of all working people.

Now, we must come together again.

Organize. Speak out. Support your coworkers. Join Starbucks Workers United.

The company has tried to silence us through store closures, firings, and delays. But solidarity is louder. They’ve spent millions trying to break our movement. That’s because they know our power—when we’re united—is unstoppable.

Let’s continue showing up for each other. Let’s demand genuine negotiations. Let’s fight for over $20 an hour, fair schedules, and respect on the floor. Every shot fired, every latte steamed, and every shift covered contributes to this company’s billions. We deserve our fair share.

Your voice counts. Your union counts. Your future counts.

Stand up. Speak out. Organize.

Because nothing brews change like solidarity—and nothing can stop us when we’re part of a general strike.

#UnionStrong #WeAreStarbucks