ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - Thousands of Starbucks stores went on a national one-day strike during the company's "Red Cup Day."
Starbucks employees plan to disrupt the company's big "Red Cup Day" promotion by walking off the job at unionized locations across the country, including eight stores in the St. Louis area.
Stores that went on strike are those in Lindbergh and Clayton, Gravois and Rock Hill, and Hampton and Wise, Kingshighway and Chippewa, Grand and Sidney, Gravois and Rock Hill, Valley Park, and Page and Ball are participating in the strike.
Pranay Peddinti, a barista at a Starbucks in Maryland Heights, says the "Red Cup Rebellion" walkout, has to do with union votes not being recognized.
"We voted to unionize just about two months ago and we have to yet have to get any information for a bargaining session between corporate and the union," said Peddinti. "There are stores that have unionized over two years now that have yet to get a contract or a negotiation started."
At the eight area stores that have voted to unionize, there'll be no baristas to help you out, with baristas walking out at 7 a.m. Thursday morning.
Peddinti also highlighted that the strike was chosen on this promotional day due in part because workers say the company leaves baristas in the lurch on big, stressful promotions like "Red Cup Day."
"It's the biggest stresser," said Peddinti. "Every barista usually dreads working that day and it's almost something that is mandatory and we can't really ask off that day."