Starbucks Union Calls for Nationwide Boycott Over Labor Practices

Starbucks Workers United (SWU), which represents employees across more than 700 unionized locations, announced the boycott on Tuesday. The union is demanding a minimum wage of $17 per hour, consistent staffing levels, and guaranteed hours for existing employees. These demands come as the company reported profits reaching $25.5 billion in 2025, while many entry-level baristas in 43 states continue to earn $16 per hour or less.

The National Labor Relations Board currently lists over 550 pending unfair labor practice charges against the company, ranging from illegal employee surveillance to the firing of organizers. Despite returning to the bargaining table in April following a massive strike involving 4,500 workers, the union claims the company remains unresponsive to core quality-of-life concerns.

The boycott timing coincides with the release of the company's seasonal fall menu. Union representatives criticized the corporation for prioritizing spending on ineffective AI technology and gimmicky product launches over addressing the financial stability of its workforce. Baristas argue that inflation has rendered current wage structures inadequate, leaving them with no alternative but to leverage consumer pressure to force contract negotiations.