Starbucks Workers’ Red Cup Day Strike, Explained | Eater

"Red Cup Day — the annual launch of the company's collectible holiday cups — is one of the chain's most profitable promotions, but it has also become a focal point for labor unrest: last year workers organized the “Red Cup Rebellion,” staging strikes at over 100 stores, and the union plans an even larger walkout (thousands of workers at hundreds of locations) on November 16 to protest chronic understaffing and the pressure of frequent promotional days that drive long waits and stressful conditions. Organizers say the actions have helped legitimize their movement and prompted some bargaining, while the company insists it remains committed to working with partners and says unions have not met with it recently; the union disputes that account. The dispute has produced extensive legal activity — regional National Labor Relations Board offices have issued 105 complaints covering 369 unfair-labor-practice charges, including an allegation that the corporation refused to bargain with 242 certified units — and specific findings that managers illegally threatened to remove benefits (for example, an abortion travel benefit). The company has also rolled out higher wages and benefits at non-union stores while asserting that unionized locations must bargain over similar improvements, an approach the NLRB has repeatedly questioned as unlawful. As the stalemate continues, the union is asking customers to join rallies, contact executives, and support walkouts in solidarity, and colleges and students are increasingly coordinating actions against the chain." - Jaya Saxena