More than 1,000 Starbucks employees are planning to strike at 65 stores in the United States to protest the lack of progress in labor negotiations between the union and the company, NBC reported on November 13.
The workers are demanding improvements to working conditions and staffing at the establishments, where they say long waits are common among cafe patrons. They are also demanding a pay rise.
The strike aims to disrupt Starbucks' "Red Cup Day," which is usually one of the busiest days of the year. Since 2018, customers have received a reusable red cup when purchasing a seasonal drink.
The Starbucks Workers Unite union said the strike will affect stores in 45 cities, including New York, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, San Diego and Starbucks' hometown of Seattle. Currently, about 550 company-owned Starbucks stores in the United States are union members.
