Baristas strike Starbucks; ‘This is just the beginning’

Baristas struck Starbucks locations in Washington and all over the United States, ramping up pressure on the company as contract negotiations stretch on

SEATTLE, WA (January 6, 2025) — Baristas represented by Starbucks Workers United (SBWU) walked out of coffee shops nation-wide in the days leading up to Christmas in unfair labor practice strikes calling attention to the company’s pattern of violating workers’ rights and continued stonewalling at the bargaining table. Workers in Washington State joined their siblings in rolling actions during some of Starbucks’ busiest days of the holiday season.

Baristas on strike in Mill Creek, WA. Photo: WSLC

Baristas are calling on the company to bring a serious economic proposal to the bargaining table. Despite months of negotiations, the union reports that Starbucks’ has yet to make significant movement on wages and benefits. The workers contrast this stonewalling at the table with the company’s willingness to ink a compensation deal with CEO Brian Nichols for $100 million, including a $10 million cash bonus.

In Washington, strike actions started in Seattle, before expanding to locations in Bellingham, Bothell, Marysville, Mill Creek, Walla Walla, and more. Through the rain, workers held the line through Christmas Eve, including shutting down the Starbucks Roastery in Seattle for five days straight.

Local labor and community supported SBWU on the lines, demonstrating that while Starbucks may call Seattle home, Washington is a union state through and through.

Nationwide, SBWU represents more than 10,000 workers at more than 500 stores. In a statement posted on social media, the union workers say these strikes are just the beginning. With the ULP strikes’ momentum, baristas are entering 2025 ready to secure a contract with fair wages that recognizes the value of their labor. As their strike proves: no workers, no coffee.