Starbucks workers kick off 65-store strike in metro Atlanta, across US

Cassandra Gonzalez holds a union sign while passing in front a Starbucks logo as workers participate in a walkout and strike during the company's Red Cup Day Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023, near Pike Place Market in Seattle.
Cassandra Gonzalez holds a "union" sign while passing in front a Starbucks logo as workers participate in a walkout and strike during the company's Red Cup Day Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023, near Pike Place Market in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

More than 1,000 unionized Starbucks workers plan to strike at 65 U.S. stores in over 40 cities Thursday — including one on Haynes Bridge Road in Alpharetta, Georgia — to protest a lack of progress in labor negotiations with the company.

The strike was intended to disrupt Starbucks’ Red Cup Day, which is typically one of the company’s busiest days of the year. Since 2018, Starbucks has given out free, reusable cups on that day to customers who buy a holiday drink.

Starbucks Workers United, the union organizing Starbucks baristas, said stores in 45 cities would be impacted, including New York, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, San Diego, St. Louis, Dallas, Columbus, Ohio, and Starbucks’ home city of Seattle. There is no date set for the strike to end, and more stores are prepared to join if Starbucks doesn’t reach a contract agreement with the union, organizers said.