Striking Starbucks Baristas Rally Outside Empire State Building

Union baristas and supporters gathered Thursday outside Starbucks regional headquarters at the Empire State Building, where workers called on the company to address hundreds of documented labor violations and negotiate a fair contract with meaningful pay, hours, staffing, and protections. The action was part of the ongoing nationwide Starbucks Workers United unfair labor practice strike, which has now expanded to more than twenty five hundred workers across more than one hundred twenty stores in eighty five cities. Speakers included member baristas, SEIU President April Verrett, 1199SEIU Executive Vice President Michael Ashby, NYC CLC President Brendan Griffith, and DCWP Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga. During the rally, twelve workers were arrested while taking part in a peaceful sit down demonstration.

Starbucks and CEO Brian Niccol have become the embodiment of corporate greed. While executives and those at the top keep getting richer, the baristas aren’t making a livable wage and far too often aren’t getting the hours needed to qualify for benefits. In 2024, Niccol made nearly $96 million for just four months of work, 6,666 times what the average barista earns. Meanwhile, Starbucks has committed more than 400 labor law violations. And just this year alone, the union has filed over 125 unfair labor practice charges – including retaliatory firings, bad-faith bargaining, and illegal intimidation.

Baristas are fighting for living wages, fair schedules, respect on the job and an end to union-busting. While baristas are on strike, the best way to show support is to not buy Starbucks in solidarity. Together, we can send a powerful message: No contract, no coffee!