You may have to hold off on your first taste of Starbucks’ peppermint mocha this year.
The coffee giant dropped its holiday menu on Thursday, which also marks the famous Red Cup Day, on which Starbucks Rewards members can claim a free reusable cup with holiday drink purchase.
However, thousands of Starbucks employees have organized the first day of the strike to coincide with Red Cup Day, one of the busiest days of the year for many Starbucks locations.
The Red Cup Day strike is the latest in a years-long labor struggle between Starbucks and its employees.
Starbucks Workers United, the union representing Starbucks employees, said stores in 45 cities would be impacted, including New York, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, San Diego, St. Louis, Dallas, Columbus, Ohio — and Starbucks’ home city of Seattle, according to The Associated Press.
The AP also reported that there is no end day set for the strike and union organizers say more stores are prepared to join the strike if Starbucks does not reach a contract agreement with the union.
Since 2021, Starbucks Workers United has been fighting for higher pay, steadier hours, more consistent scheduling and relief from heavier workloads, which some employees allege have only gotten worse under CEO Brian Niccol’s leadership.
Starbucks claims they already offer “the best overall wage and benefits package in retail” and blame union leaders for the lack of contract agreement.
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Starbucks Workers United said it represents more than 12,000 unionized baristas at over 600 stores, however, 59 unionized stores were closed in September in what Starbucks claims was part of a larger reorganization campaign.
“We identified coffeehouses where we’re unable to create the physical environment our customers and partners expect, or where we don’t see a path to financial performance, and these locations will be closed,” wrote Niccol in a statement.
