The walkout, organized by Workers United, coincided with one of Starbucks’ busiest annual promotions, when customers flock to stores to receive limited-edition red holiday cups. Employees say the company’s refusal to bargain in good faith over wages, scheduling, and workplace conditions has left them no choice but to take action during a major sales event.
At several Columbus locations, picket lines formed early in the morning with workers chanting and holding signs calling for fair contracts and better staffing levels. Many stores either operated with limited service or closed temporarily due to the shortage of staff.
“We love our customers and our jobs, but we need to be treated fairly,” said Jamie Santos, a barista at a unionized Columbus store participating in the strike. “We’ve been waiting for a real contract for far too long.”
A Starbucks spokesperson said the company respects workers’ rights to organize but characterized the strike as “unnecessary,” adding that the company has been working to resume bargaining sessions. Workers United disputes that claim, accusing Starbucks of delaying negotiations and retaliating against union supporters.
More than 400 Starbucks stores nationwide have voted to unionize since 2021, but none have yet secured a labor contract. Thursday’s nationwide action marked one of the largest coordinated strikes since the union campaign began, signaling growing frustration among employees and renewed calls for accountability from corporate leadership.
Customers in Columbus expressed mixed reactions — some voiced support for workers, while others were disappointed to find their local stores closed. Still, many said they understood the workers’ demands, noting the broader movement among service industry employees for better labor conditions.