Starbucks boycott intensifies as workers demand $17 wage and stronger protections

The Labor Day weekend boycott of Starbucks remains active as unionized workers push for a contract that guarantees a $17 minimum wage, better staffing levels and stronger workplace protections. Support has come from the AFL-CIO and Chicago Teachers Union, reinforcing the campaign launched by Starbucks Workers United in 2021. Legal challenges have emerged, including an NLRB decision that dismissed a finding of an unlawful threat by manager Chelsea Zapata regarding shift borrowing, and a recent ruling that invalidated a Seattle union vote due to mail-in ballots.

The union also achieved a win when Starbucks stopped using a silica-based blending powder after baristas reported respiratory issues, following an occupational health review. Despite these hurdles, the movement persists, urging consumers to continue the boycott until a contract with higher pay and safety guarantees is secured.