Union escalates with a distribution center picket amid open-ended walkouts.
The annual Red Cup strike has taken a couple of new twists in 2025, even though the overall impact on Starbucks remains minimal.
Starbucks Workers United (SBWU) launched an open-ended ULP strike across multiple cities. Some stores have remained on strike for more than a week, which is unusual in a retail environment where actions are usually short and symbolic.
The most significant development is a new campaign tactic. Workers and allies blocked Starbucks’ largest East Coast distribution center in York, Pennsylvania. This marks a shift in strategy and signals that the union is seeking new ways to exert pressure.
What Happened in York
SBWU, along with a mix of labor and social justice allies, picketed at the York facility. This is the place that sends out the cups, lids, syrups, beans, and all the other essentials that keep stores running. Trucks approached the gate; some turned around, and at times traffic backed up, while, according to the union, police stayed off to the side. The ultimate impact of the picket on operations remains unknown.
Instead of quick clips on social media, SBWU broadcast a 3-hour live stream that included:
- interviews with baristas on strike
- commentary from organizers
- real-time updates as trucks hesitated or backed away
- repeated calls for the public to support a national boycott under the slogan “no contract, no coffee”
Participants traveled from multiple states. A Pennsylvania barista named Dodgy talked about “fighting for a contract for four years.” Philadelphia barista Sylvia Baldwin once again served as a central spokesperson.
It was very clear that the union wanted this moment to reach far beyond the workers who were physically there.
A Shift in the Union’s Messaging
The tone at York had a different energy from the typical Starbucks strike activity. This was not just a show of internal solidarity. It was not just Red Cup Day with clever signs. This was aimed directly at the Starbucks supply chain and put on display for the public.
The live stream centered on a simple ask. Stop buying Starbucks until a contract is reached.
The union also brought in outside voices. Matt Yardel from SEIU Pennsylvania told the crowd that 80,000 members were standing with the baristas. He pointed to wage gaps, CEO pay, and broader economic issues. This shifted the event from a retail campaign to a movement-style rally/labor action.
Everything about York was designed to widen the audience.
The Strike Beyond York
The York escalation is part of a wider strike that is still active. Northwest Labor Press reported that at least 65 stores participated in the initial walkout and that strike activity was ongoing at multiple locations a week later.
The Seattle Times confirmed that three Seattle-area stores remained on strike after a whole week, showing that some units are willing to stay out longer than in past actions.
Forbes reported that the strike had spread to additional stores and cities, highlighting the significance of the York distribution center in this escalation.
New York mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani publicly encouraged a Starbucks boycott, adding political attention that has not been a significant feature of earlier strike waves.
Workers continue to cite the same issues that have driven the campaign since 2021. They describe chronic understaffing, hours cuts, unpredictable schedules, pay concerns, retaliation for union activity, and more than 1,000 ULP charges filed against the company.
Why This Moment Matters
The York action shows that SBWU is testing tactics beyond the usual store-based walkouts. It is an attempt to find out whether supply chain pressure, combined with a national boycott message and sustained media attention, can create leverage where past actions have failed.
Whether York becomes a model for further action or a one-time event is unclear. Starbucks has handled several years of strikes without changing course. Still, York marks the most ambitious escalation in the ULP strike so far and could shape what comes next.
