🗞️ Starbucks Strike Spreads to Memphis as "Red Cup Rebellion" Enters Third Week
Starbucks workers in Memphis joined the ongoing "Red Cup Rebellion" strike on Saturday, leaving the Poplar Avenue location closed indefinitely as the dispute over contract negotiations drags on.
The Starbucks Workers United strike, which began on November 13, 2025 — the company's busiest promotional day of the year — continues to expand. Memphis workers joined the picket lines on Saturday, November 30, chanting "union busters got to go" outside the Poplar Avenue location. The store will remain closed until workers believe the company has offered an acceptable contract.
What started as 65 stores striking on Red Cup Day has now grown to approximately 120 stores in 85 cities, with around 2,000 workers participating. The union has filed over 100 unfair labor practice charges in 2025 alone, and more than 1,000 total charges remain pending with the National Labor Relations Board.
Here's where it gets interesting for employers: Starbucks maintains that 99% of its 17,000 U.S. locations remain open and welcoming customers. The unionized workforce represents approximately 4% of the company's total U.S. workforce — somewhere between 9,500 and 12,000 workers depending on whose count you believe. The company says it offers the "best job in retail" with an average compensation package worth $30 per hour.
The union, meanwhile, says starting wages are $15.25 per hour in about 33 states, and the average barista gets fewer than 20 hours per week — conveniently below the 20-hour threshold for full benefits eligibility. Not a good look.
Five non-union stores filed for union elections during the first week of the strike. Dissatisfaction is contagious.
Key Points
- Strike began November 13, 2025, on Starbucks' Red Cup Day promotional event
- Memphis Poplar Avenue location joined strike on November 30, 2025
- Approximately 2,000 workers at 120 stores in 85 cities now participating
- Starbucks maintains 99% of 17,000 U.S. locations remain open
- Union represents approximately 4% of Starbucks U.S. workforce
- Company claims average compensation of $30/hour; union says starting wages are $15.25/hour
- Workers cite inability to get 20+ hours/week needed for benefits eligibility
- Five non-union stores filed for union elections during first week of strike
- Over 100 unfair labor practice charges filed in 2025 alone
- Contract negotiations stalled since April 2025
Primary Source Author: WMC Staff (Memphis); Various national outlets
Primary Sources: Action News 5 Memphis, Workers World, Wikipedia, NBC News, PBS NewsHour
Links:
https://www.actionnews5.com/2025/12/01/starbucks-workers-strike-outside-memphis-store-poplar-avenue/
https://www.workers.org/2025/12/89290/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Starbucks_workers'_strike
https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/starbucks-workers-kick-65-store-us-strike-companys-busy-red-cup-day-rcna243658
https://sbworkersunited.org/our-strike/
