How Union Strikes Are Affecting Starbucks Red Cup Day

It's National Red Cup day at Starbucks, the cups that are reusable. So, you know that a lot of people are going to go to Starbucks to try and score those coveted red reusable cups, right? Whether or not you agree with the red cups, or you think it's total hype or you just think it's dumb that people want these things since Starbucks coffee is expensive, people still go and try and get these things. It is what it is. BUT what happens when it's a super busy day, and you have frustrated baristas?

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If you are in a big city, with a really busy starbucks and you are frustrated, you decide to go on strike on one of the aformentioned busy days! You try and pick a day that will make the biggest bang and get the most attention to the "higher ups". That, my friend, is today.

WHAT'S RED CUP DAY

To help spread the cheer, customers who order a handcrafted holiday beverage at participating U.S. Starbucks coffeehouses on Nov. 13 will receive a free 2025 limited-edition reusable red cup, while supplies last.

ON STRIKE

Some Starbucks coffee shops are unionized. We do have one here in the St. Cloud area that is union, and that location is Sartell, but they are not as busy as some of the other locations in Minnesota. Those locations are located in Minneapolis and Chanhassen. And those two cities have their Starbucks baristas on strike.

WHERE IN MINNESOTA ARE THEY ON STRIKE

Unionized Starbucks locations have gone on strike today across the country, Minnesota just has those two cities with employees on strike. There are several across California. There is a website, No Contract, No Coffee that has the complete list and map of striking Starbucks barisitas.

HOW LONG WILL THIS LAST

The story is developing...

“With no set end date to the strike, baristas across more than 550 current union stores are prepared to continue escalating to make this the largest, longest strike in company history if Starbucks fails to deliver a fair union contract and resolve unfair labor practice charges,” the SBWU warned.

So, if you cannot live without Starbucks, go to a store that isn't unionized, or the one here in Sartell will probably serve you, even though they are union, but of course the "no contract, no coffee" website asks that you please refrain from doing that. They said that even one day would make a huge difference.