Starbucks Baristas Go On Strike In Mercer County On Red Cup Day

MERCER COUNTY, NJ — Baristas at the Hopewell Starbucks went on strike Thursday, one of the busiest sales days for the company. The workers joined baristas in more than 100 stores across the country in what is seen as the largest one-day strike.

The strike, called the Red Cup Rebellion, coincides with Red Cup Day, when the coffee giant launches a branded, reusable red cup for the holiday season.

The striking stores are planning to distribute their own version of the red cup featuring the Grinch’s hand holding an ornament with the Starbucks union logo.

Baristas are demanding that all union stores be fully staffed and that the company begin bargaining in good faith.

“The frequent understaffing we experience at our store benefits no one. It creates a high-stress work environment where we, as shift managers and baristas, are getting burned out fast. It also affects how quickly our customers receive their drinks, and how we are treated in return because of that,” a Barista at the Hopewell store said in a statement.

“We want to be open and provide the best service to our customers and regulars, especially on days such as Red Cup Day, but we are not being given the tools to succeed nor the incentive to do so.”

Union workers will be striking from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. The unionized stores in Montclair and Summit will also be joining the strike. Baristas will be picketing outside the store.

Over the past year, roughly 260 Starbucks locations have voted to unionize under Workers United.

In April the Starbucks in Hopewell became the first store to unionize in New Jersey. Starbucks workers voted unanimously, 15-0, in favor of joining Workers United. More: Mercer County Starbucks Becomes First To Unionize In NJ

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