Business: Newly elected New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Friday appealed for a boycott of Starbucks and asked people to support the union baristas on strike. Mamdani clearly said that as long as the employees’ strike continues, he himself will not buy coffee from Starbucks and has asked the public to do the same. “Starbucks employees are on an unfair labor practice strike across the country, fighting for a fair contract,” he wrote in a post on social media platform X. I won’t buy Starbucks as long as they’re on strike. You also support us. No contract, no coffee.

What is the ‘Red Cup Rebellion’ strike?
On the same day, the union Starbucks Workers United began an open-ended strike, which they named the ‘Red Cup Rebellion’. The strike coincided with Starbucks’ annual Red Cup Day, the day when the company’s stores see the largest crowds as customers arrive in droves to collect free reusable holiday cups. Employees in more than 25 American cities joined this strike. The union said this could become the largest and longest unfair labor practice (ULP) strike in Starbucks history. Union appeals to people, ‘No contract, no coffee… don’t buy Starbucks during the strike!’

What are the demands of the employees?
The union, which represents about 9,000 Starbucks baristas, says Starbucks is avoiding negotiations, with more than 1,000 unfair labor practice complaints filed against the company with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The union has warned that if the talks do not progress, the strike may spread further. This is the union’s fourth strike since 2023 and the third under CEO Brian Nicholl, who is set to take office in 2024.

Starbucks denies union allegations
Starbucks denies the union’s allegations. According to the company, the union’s demands are unreasonable, considering the company already pays employees an average of $19 an hour and a package of more than $30 including benefits. Starbucks also says it gives its employees the ‘best benefits in the industry.’

Controversy even when the store is closed
According to the New York Post, Starbucks closed hundreds of stores across the country in the past months, including 59 unionized stores. Many closed stores received only a few days’ notice. Last year too, during the ‘Red Cup Day’ strike, the company had to temporarily close about 60 stores.