 "Zohran Mamdani recounted how, when he first entered politics, an uncle gently suggested he keep his faith to himself. (AP)")
New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has urged people to boycott Starbucks as more than a thousand workers across the US went on strike. Mamdani called on New Yorkers to avoid the coffee chain until baristas secure a fair contract.
“Starbucks workers across the country are on an Unfair Labor Practices strike… No contract, no coffee,” he said on X, joining workers demanding better pay, improved staffing and action on hundreds of unfair labour practice complaints.
Responding to a post by Starbucks Workers United, Mamdani said he would not buy from Starbucks during the strike and asked others to do the same. “While workers are on strike, I won’t be buying any Starbucks, and I’m asking you to join us,” he wrote, adding, “Together, we can send a powerful message: No contract, no coffee.”
Starbucks Workers United announced on X that employees nationwide had begun an Unfair Labour Practices (ULP) strike. They said the walkout could become the largest and longest in Starbucks’ history. “As of today, Starbucks workers across the country are officially ON STRIKE… Say No Contract No Coffee with us: DON’T BUY STARBUCKS for the duration of our open-ended ULP strike!” the union wrote.
Workers have launched an open-ended walkout called the “Red Cup Rebellion,” timed with Starbucks’ annual Red Cup Day — one of the company’s busiest events — when customers receive a free reusable holiday cup with a seasonal drink.
The union says Starbucks has committed over 400 labour law violations, citing rulings from Administrative Law Judges at the National Labor Relations Board. The strike has drawn workers from more than 25 cities, including New York, Dallas, Seattle, Ohio, Minneapolis and Philadelphia.
Baristas in these cities walked out, turning the high-traffic promotional day into a major protest point in their ongoing dispute with management. The union, representing roughly 9,000 workers, accuses Starbucks of refusing to negotiate and says the strike could grow if talks remain stalled.
“As of today, Starbucks workers across the country are officially ON STRIKE,” the union reiterated in another post. “And we’re prepared for this to become the biggest and longest ULP strike in Starbucks history… DON’T BUY STARBUCKS for the duration of our open-ended ULP strike!”
No end date has been set. More stores may join if a contract deal is not reached.
This is the union’s fourth strike since 2023 and the third since CEO Brian Niccol took over in 2024. Last year’s Red Cup Day strike forced around 60 stores to temporarily close. Starbucks has also faced criticism for recent closures of hundreds of outlets, including 59 unionised stores.