Starbucks baristas in more than 40 U.S. cities have launched an open-ended strike after contract negotiations with the company collapsed, marking one of the largest coordinated actions in the chain’s history. The union, Starbucks Workers United, represents 11,000 workers and accuses the company of bargaining in bad faith while pushing for better wages, staffing, and protections. As the strike escalates, political leaders including mayor-elects in New York City and Seattle have publicly backed workers and called for customers to boycott Starbucks until a fair contract is reached.
See "‘No contract, no coffee’: what to know about the Starbucks workers’ strike in over 40 US cities", Michael Saint, The Guardian, November 19, 2025