Madison baristas join in on 120+ store Starbucks union strike
Hundreds of baristas join what organizers call longest unfair labor practice strike in company history
MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) -Hundreds of union Starbucks baristas joined an ongoing strike Friday, expanding what organizers call the longest unfair labor practice strike in the company’s history.
The strike now includes 2,500 baristas from more than 120 stores across 85 cities, including Madison. The action began Nov. 13 on Red Cup Day and expanded Nov. 20 to protest what workers call union busting and the company’s failure to finalize a union contract.
“We’re joining the Red Cup Rebellion to fight for a better future at Starbucks that we all know is possible,” said Hailie Muro, a 3-year shift supervisor from Los Angeles who joined the strike Friday. “Baristas make the Starbucks experience what it is. That’s why we need Starbucks to stop union busting and finalize a fair contract that supports us with better pay, hours, and the staffing we need to properly serve our customers.”
Strike expands to new cities
Union stores in 22 cities joined the strike Friday, including locations in Arkansas, California, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin.
More than 125,000 people have signed a pledge to not buy Starbucks while baristas are on strike, according to Workers United, the union representing the workers.
“It’s time for Brian Niccol and Starbucks executives to stop stalling and cut the excuses,” said Michelle Eisen, Starbucks Workers United spokesperson and 15-year veteran barista. “We need real solutions that address our basic demands and the hundreds of labor law violations that remain outstanding. The ball is in their court.”
The strike expansion follows recent actions at corporate Starbucks locations.
Last week, delivery trucks turned away from a picket line at the company’s largest distribution center in York, Pennsylvania. On Monday, union baristas and allies brought their strike to a satellite office in Newport Beach, California, that Starbucks has outfitted for CEO Brian Niccol.
Labor law violations cited
The National Labor Relations Board and its Administrative Law Judges have found that Starbucks has committed more than 400 labor law violations, according to Workers United. An Administrative Law Judge recently recommended a broad cease and desist order against the company’s union activities.
Workers United has filed more than 1,000 unfair labor practice charges, including more than 125 since January 2025. More than 650 unresolved charges remain.
Union baristas are seeking better hours to improve staffing, higher take-home pay and resolution of outstanding unfair labor practice charges. Workers United says finalizing a contract would cost Starbucks less than one average day’s sales and less than Niccol’s $96 million compensation for four months of work in 2024.
Starbucks has not put forth new proposals to address the union’s core demands for over six months, according to Workers United.
Starbucks’ message to employees
The most recent statement Starbucks made on the issue was November 5.
A Starbucks executive addressed the company’s workforce in the statement regarding Workers United’s strike authorization, saying the union represents fewer than 4% of the company’s employees.
In a message to partners, Sara, a Starbucks executive, said over 10,000 company-operated coffeehouses and nearly 7,000 licensed locations will remain open if the union proceeds with strike action.
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