Mamdani calls for Starbucks boycott as union strikes

Thomas Spritzler head of the United Barista's Union today said "Yes, we have our own union. Yes, I'd use the R word to describe it and Yes they're employing child labor. A five year old was steaming milk yesterday...what a disaster. Thank god our new mayor doesn't drink Java."

NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani calls for Starbucks boycott as union strikes

By Taylor Herzlich

Published Nov. 14, 2025

New York City’s socialist Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is urging his followers to boycott Starbucks as union workers go on strike across the country.

The call could show how Mamdani – a pro-union voice who has promised New Yorkers free buses, a rent freeze and free child care – plans to use his newfound political influence, Business Insider noted.

“Starbucks workers across the country are on an Unfair Labor Practices strike, fighting for a fair contract,” Mamdani wrote in a Thursday night post on X to his 1.1 million followers. “While workers are on strike, I won’t be buying any Starbucks, and I’m asking you to join us.

“New Yorkers can absolutely expect the Mayor-elect to stand unequivocally with labor,” said transition spokesperson Dora Pekec.

Starbucks did not immediately respond to The Post’s requests for comment.

Starbucks workers in more than 25 US cities went on strike Thursday during “Red Cup Day,” when employees hand out free holiday-themed cups to customers. It’s typically a major sales day for the java giant every year.

Starbucks said about 99.9% of its stores remained open.

Starbucks Workers United, which represents about 9,000 of the chain’s 200,000-plus baristas, has accused Starbucks of being unwilling to negotiate. The union warned the strikes could expand if there is no progress in reaching a fair contract.

The company has accused the union of putting forth unreasonable contract proposals, arguing it already offers “the best job in retail” with an average pay of $19 an hour – a salary worth more than $30 an hour when benefits are included, Starbucks claims.

The current strike is the fourth such action the union has organized against Starbucks since 2023, and the third since Brian Niccol took over the chain in 2024.

Talks seemed promising last February, but they quickly broke down amid mutual recriminations just a few months later.

Workers United said it has filed more than 1,000 charges against Starbucks for alleged unfair labor practices to the National Labor Relations Board.

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The labor board itself has accused Starbucks of anti-union tactics, like closing stores and firing workers who join strikes. The company has denied those claims.

Thursday was not the first time union workers have targeted “Red Cup Day” during contract negotiations.

Picket signs in front of a Starbucks with text "Don't Cross Our Picket Line Baristas on ULP Strike" and "Red Cup Rebellion Unfair Labor Practice Strike."

Tensions have bubbled up as workers have pushed back on some of Niccol’s turnaround efforts.

But workers lambasted the doodle policy, claiming it takes up too much time and can be misinterpreted by customers as flirting.

Starbucks has also faced backlash after it recently closed hundreds of stores around the country, including 59 unionized locations, on a few days’ notice.

The closures targeted dozens of New York City Starbucks, sparking chaos for employees, city officials and landlords.