PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Protests by unionized Starbucks workers led to more than 100 store closures across the country Thursday for better pay and working conditions.
Starbucks restaurants at four Center City-area locations – 20th and Market streets, 22nd and South streets, 34th and Walnut streets and Broad and Spring Garden streets – participated in the “Red Cup Rebellion Strike.” Many workers were spotted outside wearing red or holding reusable red cups that read “Starbucks Workers United.”
The strike purposefully took place on “Red Cup Day,” one of Starbucks’ busiest days of the year where customers who purchase a fall or winter drink get a free, reusable red cup.
Starbucks, which opposes the unionization effort, said it is aware of the walkouts and respects its employees' right to lawfully protest.
This is one of their largest labor actions since a campaign to unionize the company’s stores began late last year.
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“The big part of ‘Red Cup Rebellion’ is that we want this contract now,” said Lydia Fernandez, a barista at 20th and Market and a member of the union workers’ bargaining committee.
“We unionized because there are things we need – a better livable wage, better staffing, safer working conditions – and we want to work with the company to get those things for us.”
Fernandez feels many issues are at stake, but understaffing is the biggest concern.
“We are just staffed enough to be able to fill out the floor; there is no one really else to be there,” Fernandez said.
Since unionizing in May, the store’s employees have not reached a contract agreement.
While there was a brief bargaining session in October, no agreement was reached and there are no plans scheduled for future negotiations.
Many regular customers like Nancy of Center City support the strike.
“I think it’s great that they are standing up for themselves,” Nancy said. "Now I have to get my coffee.”
At least 257 Starbucks stores have voted to unionize since late last year, according to the National Labor Relations Board. Fifty-seven stores have held votes where workers opted not to unionize.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.