Starbucks workers at more than 100 U.S. stores staged a walkout Thursday, in the largest strike so far by the growing Starbucks union. The walkout was scheduled to coincide with Starbucks’ annual “Red Cup Day,” when the company gives free reusable cups to customers who order a holiday drink. Workers say it’s often one of the busiest days of the year and they dubbed the strike the “Red Cup Rebellion.”
In New Jersey, employees at the state’s three unionized Starbucks locations — Montclair, Hopewell and Summit — joined the demonstration. The workers say they’re seeking better pay, more consistent schedules and higher staffing levels in busy stores. Starbucks opposes the unionization effort.
More than 260 Starbucks stores have unionized nationwide, but the company has not yet agreed to a contract with any of them.
