Starbucks Workers United organized a strike at over one hundred locations across the country on Thursday, 17 November 2022. The action was called the #redcuprebellion. SBWU elaborated via press release: 

“We chose this date in particular because it coincides with “Red Cup Day,” an annual Starbucks promotional event of major symbolic and economic importance, during which customers are given free reusable red cups with the purchase of a seasonal specialty drink.”

Customers were encouraged to stand with the workers in a show of solidarity. With over 200 Starbucks already unionized in less than a year, the movement has momentum. Boston had its own reason to celebrate with the union win at the 874 Commonwealth Ave. location.

But lately the national coffee chain has been making the news for union busting as much as union organizing. The National Labor Relations Board has ruled that Starbucks illegally fired employees on the basis of their union activity – a clear violation of labor law under the National Labor Relations Act. 

Starbucks’ CEO Howard Schultz has expressed no remorse nor indicated a change in strategy, instead complaining that the corporate giant was being “assaulted” by the union activity. Industry observers note there is little incentive for companies like Starbucks to observe labor law when the costs for violating them are low and the profit motive high.

Until the NLRB has the bite to match its bark, actions like #redcuprebellion will remain a critical tool in the toolkits of labor rights activists. We’ve captured some tweets below to commemorate the day. Readers interested in contributing to the Boston area SBWU strike fund, can do so here.