Unionized Starbucks baristas launched a wave of walkouts November 13; a work stoppage they say could grow to become their biggest strike to date.

Workers United, which represents staff at about 550 of Starbucks Corp.’s roughly 10,000 company-owned U.S. cafes, said it planned to strike on November 13 in at least 40 cities, including New York, San Diego, Dallas, Philadelphia and the company’s hometown of Seattle. The protests are open-ended and could expand if there isn’t progress towards finalizing a union contract and resolving legal disputes, according to the union. 

The strike, involving more than 1,000 baristas at 65 cafes, is pegged to Starbucks’ annual “Red Cup Day” promotion, when the company draws big crowds by giving away reusable holiday-themed cups. The work stoppage is the latest escalation in the union’s efforts to amp up pressure on the coffee chain, which it accuses of refusing to fairly negotiate. Employees began voting to unionize Starbucks cafes in late 2021, but have yet to secure a collective bargaining agreement.

“We’re prepared to do whatever it takes,” said Jasmine Leli, a barista in Buffalo, New York, and one of the delegates representing the union in negotiations, in an interview last week. “Starbucks not finalizing this union contract is failing its baristas and customers alike.”

Starbucks has denied wrongdoing and has accused the union of abandoning negotiations. “We’re disappointed that Workers United has called a strike instead of returning to the bargaining table,” company spokesperson Jaci Anderson said November 12. She said “nearly all” of Starbucks’ cafes would be ready to serve customers regardless of any strike.

Workers United delegates voted in April to reject Starbucks’ latest contract proposal. Organizers said it fell short because it only guaranteed annual raises of at least 2% and didn’t ensure that employees would get enough hours of work to qualify for benefits. Starbucks has said it already offers “the best job in retail,” with barista pay averaging over $19 per hour, and total compensation that’s greater than $30 an hour when counting benefits.