Mamdani Calls to Boycott Hundreds of NYC Starbucks Branches While Workers Are On Strike

"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."

"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."

Unionized Starbucks employees staged a coordinated strike on Red Cup Day to press for improved wages, benefits, staffing, and resolution of unfair labor practice charges. Starbucks Workers United represents over 12,000 baristas across 600 locations and last week overwhelmingly authorized the strike. Over 1,000 participants in more than 40 U.S. cities joined the Red Cup Rebellion, forcing almost all of 65 unionized locations to close, according to the union. Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani called for a boycott and pledged not to buy Starbucks until a fair contract is reached. Other politicians, including Rep. Rashida Tlaib and Sen. Ed Markey, voiced solidarity.

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