Solidarity with Starbucks Workers United

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When union leaders call for community support during a strike, we have a responsibility to stand in solidarity. I fully support this strike and the ongoing boycott against Starbucks. We must challenge the exploitative practices of this corporate giant and hold them accountable for their greed.

While Starbucks rakes in billions, its workers are left with mere scraps. This is a pivotal moment to oppose the exploitation inflicted by mega-corporations. I wholeheartedly support the unionized baristas in their plea for allies and customers to join the boycott during their strike, prompted by Starbucks' refusal to negotiate a fair contract.

On Friday, November 14th, I visited the picket line to hear the strikers’ stories and show my support. A barista who has worked there for 13 years cannot afford the average one-bedroom apartment in our city. It’s no surprise that workers struggle to make ends meet in Santa Cruz. Labor rights must include the fundamental right to a livable wage.

Many Starbucks employees are required to take limited hours to avoid triggering health benefit requirements—a tactic of corporate manipulation. Workers also expressed frustration with being penalized for wearing union buttons.

Starbucks operates more than 10,000 company-owned stores and around 550 unionized locations. As part of its restructuring efforts, the company has closed 59 unionized stores, including two in Santa Cruz County. It’s telling that while diverting resources into an $81 million conference for managers, Starbucks also boasts profits over $37 billion in 2025, all while continuing to exploit its workers. This stark contrast highlights the greed-driven priorities of a company profiting off the backs of those who make it successful.

Demands from Workers:

• Higher Take-Home Pay: higher wages to make ends meet.

• Resolution of Unfair Labor Practices: resolution of hundreds of outstanding unfair labor practice charges related to union busting.

• Better Hours/Staffing: improved staffing to address chronic under-staffing. Many baristas aren’t getting enough hours to pay bills or qualify for benefits.

We must continue to demand justice and fairness in the workplace and prioritize the rights of workers over the insatiable greed of billionaires.

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