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Facing Unprecedented Labor Violations, Starbucks Workers Overwhelmingly Agree to Strike Indefinitely {transcript of a podcast interview}
In These Times (pro-union propaganda outfit) ^ | November 15, 2025 | Maximillian Alvarez

Posted on 11/21/2025 8:40:05 AM PST by Salman

MAXIMILLIAN ALVAREZ: By the time you hear this, Starbucks workers in over 25 cities across the country may be on strike. Last week, a super majority of unionized baristas with Starbucks Workers United voted to authorize an unfair labor practice strike ahead of the holiday season. The strike would begin on Thursday Nov. 13, on so-called Red Cup Day, Starbucks’s annual corporate holiday.

...

MICHELLE EISEN: Yes, thanks so much for having me. Last week, we announced that 92% of union workers voted to authorize a strike, should the company not respond to our multiple requests for them to return to the bargaining table with new proposals that will address the outstanding issues; mainly more take-home pay for workers, better hours to fix the chronic understaffing in our stores and to resolve the — you said it — hundreds of unresolved unfair labor practice charges that are still hanging over their heads.

It’s hard to be a worker working in those conditions, when you actually have to be afraid of your employer continually violating your rights.

...

The last offer — and I’m hesitant to even call it an offer — that came from their side when it came to the economic elements of the contract, was nothing. They said, ​“Our reply is zero increase for the first year of the contract.”

...

This is a multi-billion dollar global corporation. We paid our CEO $98 million for the first four months of his employment with this company. They spent $81 million for a four-day manager’s retreat in Vegas just this June. It would cost less than both of those numbers to finalize a multi-year union contract with their union baristas, less than a single day’s profit.

...

(Excerpt) Read more at inthesetimes.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: starbucks; unions
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It's union propaganda, but the real story can be read between the lines.
1 posted on 11/21/2025 8:40:05 AM PST by Salman
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To: Salman

A union?! To pour burned coffee?


2 posted on 11/21/2025 8:41:37 AM PST by albie
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To: Salman

Doesn’t bother me. I can’t stand Starbucks coffee. Haven’t purchased any in years.


3 posted on 11/21/2025 8:42:39 AM PST by Signalman (When your enemy is digging himself a hole, don't take away his shovel.)
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To: Salman

Fine with me. Starbucks is a radical left company that deserves to take a hit.


4 posted on 11/21/2025 8:47:00 AM PST by TBP (Decent people cannot fathom the amoral cruelty of the Democrat cult.)
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To: Salman

“A barista is a professional who specializes in preparing and serving coffee-based beverages, such as espresso, cappuccino, and lattes.

This role involves crafting drinks, often with skills like latte art, and providing customer service.

The term is Italian for “bartender” and is now used for any gender in English-speaking contexts.”


5 posted on 11/21/2025 8:47:23 AM PST by plain talk
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To: Salman

“We paid our CEO $98 million for the first four months of his employment with this company. They spent $81 million for a four-day manager’s retreat in Vegas just this June.”

For pouring crappy coffee into a cup?


6 posted on 11/21/2025 8:48:24 AM PST by Resolute Conservative
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To: Salman

“Last week, we announced that 92% of union workers voted to authorize a strike”

Doesn’t mention how many are non union.

I went to a Starbucks Monday - everything looked normal.


7 posted on 11/21/2025 8:48:45 AM PST by aquila48 (Do not let them make you "care" ! Guilting you is how they control you. )
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To: Signalman

Yes, unions members are always big on looking at management compensation, but are oblivious to the demands of the marketplace. There are thousands of places that serve coffee. Often cheaper. Often better. Ultimately the consumer is the final arbiter in these situations.


8 posted on 11/21/2025 8:49:14 AM PST by fhayek
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To: Salman

Here in Redmond OR there is Junction Roastery. They are opening a site in Bend soon. The coffee is great, and pastries come from Sisters Bakery. But the Best part in the friendly people who serve and visit the place.


9 posted on 11/21/2025 8:50:06 AM PST by Retain Mike ( Sat Cong)
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To: aquila48

The numbers are something like 5% of Starbuck’s workers are unionized.

Starbucks could close all of the union stores and it might even improve their bottom line.

This is a joke.


10 posted on 11/21/2025 8:51:45 AM PST by cgbg (The master is nice only when the dog behaves as expected.)
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To: Salman

saw a pic of them sitting across a roadway blocking a truck


11 posted on 11/21/2025 8:57:18 AM PST by RummyChick (If I did not provide a link in my post none will be forthcoming )
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To: cgbg

There is so much competition in the coffee business. This might boomerang on the union.


12 posted on 11/21/2025 8:59:45 AM PST by maro (MAGA!)
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To: Salman

Go look for another job. They’ll never miss you.


13 posted on 11/21/2025 9:01:41 AM PST by Sacajaweau
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To: maro

Correct.

The leftist professors do not teach their young Marxist trainees the true history of the labor movement.

An effective labor movement requires capital that is hard to move (physically—like big factories) and hard to substitute.

A coffee shop is ridiculously easy to relocate, has low barriers to entry and also faces the “substitute effect” of people just bringing their own coffee with them.


14 posted on 11/21/2025 9:10:59 AM PST by cgbg (The master is nice only when the dog behaves as expected.)
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To: TBP

I recall seeing comment from their CEO back when Trump first ran for Prez. He stated “If you vote for Trump don’t come to StarBucks”. Can’t validate that he said that but I remember it being reported.


15 posted on 11/21/2025 9:12:16 AM PST by Hot Rod Garage (Sh)
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To: TBP

I recall seeing comment from their CEO back when Trump first ran for Prez. He stated “If you vote for Trump don’t come to StarBucks”. Can’t validate that he said that but I remember it being reported.


16 posted on 11/21/2025 9:12:16 AM PST by Hot Rod Garage (Sh)
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To: Resolute Conservative

At $5.00 a cup, no thank you.


17 posted on 11/21/2025 9:14:13 AM PST by exnavy (See article IV section 4 of our constitution.)
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To: TBP

Right. Let them get hoisted on their own petard.


18 posted on 11/21/2025 9:14:13 AM PST by rlmorel (Factio Communistica Sinensis Delenda Est.)
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To: aquila48

The strike was on. I just walked by a Starbucks and you would never know there is a strike. The idiots are just going to prove they have no leverage, none.


19 posted on 11/21/2025 9:15:14 AM PST by gibsonguy
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To: albie

I think most the women go there for the sugar drinks.


20 posted on 11/21/2025 9:15:50 AM PST by aspasia
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