In a letter to Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol, influential organizations back workers’ fight, commit to not cross the picket line if workers strike 

AFL-CIO President Shuler to Niccol: ‘The labor movement stands with Starbucks baristas’

NATIONWIDE – A coalition of over 45 major organizations representing more than 85 million people across the U.S. and beyond sent a letter to Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol Friday urging the coffee giant to finalize a fair union contract as Starbucks Workers United won a union election at the 650th store. The letter signers include AFL-CIO; massive labor unions like NEA, AFT, and AFGE; and influential organizations like the Sunrise Movement, Gen-Z for Change, Move On, DSA, and the Working Families Party.

“Starbucks is an iconic American company, “ the letter reads. “Your brand has the opportunity to bring people together, but right now, a cloud is hanging over Starbucks as you have yet to finalize a first union contract with baristas. We are writing to impress upon you the importance of making peace with the baristas who make the Starbucks experience what it is and working together with them to finalize fair union contracts.”

The letter showcases the surge of widespread support that’s poured in from the labor movement and beyond for Starbucks’ union baristas as they escalate their demands nationwide for a fair contract with improved staffing, hours, take-home pay, and on-the-job protections. Even as the business contends with declining sales, customer satisfaction, and brand perception, Starbucks continues to stonewall union baristas’ contract demands while fueling the biggest CEO-to-worker pay gap among the top 500 corporations in the US.

“The labor movement stands with Starbucks baristas,” says letter signer Liz Shuler, President of the AFL-CIO. “Starbucks is a multi-billion-dollar coffee giant that can certainly afford to invest in the baristas who power its profits. After all, it’s the same company that paid its CEO 6,666 times that of an average barista last year. 

“Starbucks union baristas have inspired people all over the world with their ambitious, hope-filled campaign for a stronger future. Now, working people are united in solidarity with union baristas from coast to coast who are organizing their union and fighting for the fair contract they have earned. We’re ready to join them on the picket line if that’s what it takes to land a fair contract.”

As public pressure mounts on Starbucks to fix its growing issues, the letter’s signers emphasized their commitment to backing baristas as they escalate their fight to build a better future for Starbucks, even if that involves standing with workers on the picket line if they’re forced to strike. 

“We’re invested in union baristas’ success,” the letter concludes. “We are committed to supporting their demand for a fair contract that helps make jobs at Starbucks better, which will, in turn, improve all of our communities where you operate. We will continue to back union workers’ fight, including by not crossing barista picket lines at Starbucks if they feel striking is necessary. We may even join them on the picket line if progress toward a fair contract isn’t being made. 

When working people do better, we all do better. It’s time to move forward. That means finalizing fair contracts that show union baristas how you value their contributions to your multi-billion dollar company. We’re calling on you, Brian, to listen to union Starbucks baristas and get the job done.”

See here for the complete letter and list of signers.