Overview
- Unionized baristas launched the Red Cup Rebellion on Thursday, walking off at dozens of stores to pressure stalled contract talks.
- Starbucks Workers United says it has filed more than 1,000 unfair labor practice charges and represents roughly 9,000 baristas.
- Zohran Mamdani urged consumers to avoid Starbucks during the strike, as socialist organizers encouraged supporters to join picket lines.
- Starbucks said 99.9% of locations stayed open on Red Cup Day and told Business Insider it was on track to beat sales expectations across North America.
- Organizers warned the action could expand, while Starbucks cites a broader restructuring that closed hundreds of stores, including 59 unionized locations.