Mamdani Calls to Boycott Hundreds of NYC Starbucks Branches While Workers Are On Strike
AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson
New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani called for a boycott of the coffee giant Starbucks on Thursday, urging solidarity with employees of the company who are on striking to demand concessions in contract negotiations.
The members of Starbucks Workers United, the union that represents about 550 unionized Starbucks locations, walked out on Thursday in order to advocate for improved wages and benefits. The strike began on the company’s Red Cup Day, a promotion wherein shoppers receive a free reusable cup when they purchase a holiday themed drink.
The strike came after Workers United, which represents over 12,000 baristas across 600 locations, voted with an overwhelming majority to authorize the strike last week. Over 1,000 participants in more than 40 U.S. cities joined the “Red Cup Rebellion” Thursday, forcing almost all of the 65 unionized Starbucks locations to close, according to the union. New York City has nearly 200 locations within the five boroughs.
Baristas are protesting “six months of Starbucks refusing to offer new proposals to address workers’ demands for better staffing, higher pay, and resolution for hundreds of unfair labor practice charges,” said the SWU in a statement.
Mamdani threw his support behind the strikers, telling his followers he won’t be shopping at the chain until a fair contract is negotiated.
“Starbucks workers across the country are on an Unfair Labor Practices strike, fighting for a fair contract,” he wrote on X. “While workers are on strike, I won’t be buying any Starbucks, and I’m asking you to join us. Together, we can send a powerful message: No contract, no coffee.”
The mayor-elect was not the only political figure to publicly back the workers in their efforts.
“I stand in solidarity with @SBWorkersUnited and say #NoContractNoCoffee,” wrote Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) on X. “When we strike, we win!”
Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) also voiced his solidarity, agreeing with the strikers that “Starbucks must put an end to their union busting and negotiate in good faith.”
In a statement made after the strike authorization, Starbucks said the company’s “commitment to bargaining hasn’t changed.”
“Workers United walked away from the table but if they are ready to come back, we’re ready to talk,” the statement read.
The union, for its part, has signaled it has no intention of ending the strike anytime soon.
“We’re prepared to escalate with more stores striking if we don’t see substantial progress toward finalizing contracts that address pay, hours/staffing, and the resolution of 100s of ULPs,” the union said in a statement on Thursday.
