NEW YORK – Starbucks Workers United held a rally Thursday outside the Empire State Building as their open-ended strike entered its third week, with no signs of a resolution in sight. The demonstration drew several hundred picketers, adding to the congestion of holiday shoppers and tourists near the landmark, which also houses a three-floor Starbucks Reserve location and the company’s regional headquarters.
Members of other unions, including the AFL-CIO and Service Employees International Union, which is affiliated with Workers United, joined the protest. Demonstrators chanted slogans such as “No coffee, no contract” and “What’s disgusting? Union busting.” Twelve people were arrested for blocking the building’s entrance. The baristas began their strike on Starbucks Red Cup Day last month, demanding improvements to hours, wages, and resolution of hundreds of unfair labor practice complaints filed against the company. Of the 145 locations involved in the strike, 55 remain closed.
Negotiations have stalled since late last year, and there have been no active talks to finalize a contract. Despite the strike, Starbucks reported that its Red Cup Day was its strongest ever, with CEO Brian Niccol emphasizing that sales remain unaffected during the busy holiday season. The strike comes shortly after Starbucks agreed to a $38.9 million settlement with New York City over violations of the Fair Workweek Law, which mandates predictable scheduling and limits reductions in hours.
City officials, including Mayor Eric Adams and Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, have publicly supported the striking workers. Both Starbucks and the union have blamed each other for the stalled negotiations, though the company says it remains ready to return to the bargaining table. Starbucks is investing $500 million in its “Back to Starbucks” strategy, aimed at improving employee experience, upgrading scheduling technology, and increasing staffing levels. A company spokesperson said that 99% of U.S. locations remain open, and any disruption is expected to be minimal.