Red Cup Day is usually one of Starbucks’ biggest celebrations — the unofficial kickoff to holiday drink season, when fans line up early for their free reusable cups and festive beverages. But this year, the annual event could look a little different.
More than 12,000 baristas across 600 unionized Starbucks cafés have voted to authorize a national strike on November 13 — the same day Red Cup Day is set to take place. The potential walkout, organized by Starbucks Workers United, would mark one of the largest collective actions in the company’s recent history.
Why a Strike?
The union says the strike is about securing better pay, hours, and working conditions — and finally locking in a fair contract after years of stalled negotiations. Starbucks, for its part, says it’s ready to negotiate.
“We are disappointed that Workers United, which only represents around 4% of our partners, has voted to authorize a strike instead of returning to the bargaining table,” a company spokesperson told the media. “When they’re ready to come back, we’re ready to talk.”
What It Could Mean for Customers
Red Cup Day draws massive traffic, both in stores and online. If strikes go forward, customers could see longer lines, store closures, or mobile order delays at affected locations. Non-union stores will remain open, but the disruption may still ripple through Starbucks’ nationwide rollout of holiday drinks.
If Starbucks baristas do walk out on November 13, here are a few ways to make the most of Red Cup Day without the chaos:
Check the app before heading out. Some unionized cafés could close or operate with limited hours, so mobile ordering or location searches can help you spot open stores nearby.
Go early — or go later. If you’re chasing that free reusable red cup, early morning tends to be your best bet. But if crowds (or picket lines) are building, the afternoon rush usually thins out.
Be patient with workers. Whether unionized or not, many baristas will be juggling extra volume that day. A little kindness goes a long way when the line’s long and the foam art’s rushed.
Support fairly. If your local Starbucks is participating in the strike, consider skipping mobile orders and showing support for workers while grabbing coffee elsewhere for the day.
More Starbucks content:
- Starbucks Closing Hundreds of Locations Nationwide — Find out more information about the closures and the list of doomed Starbucks locations so far.
- Sneak a Peek at Starbucks’ Holiday Menu, Coming Next Month — The coffee chain just announced its winter menu, and we can’t wait to get into the holiday spirit with a hot eggnog latte.
- Starbucks Laying Off Hundreds of Workers, Closing Locations — Like many restaurant and retail chains, Starbucks isn’t doing so hot right now.
