Starbucks Workers May Soon Call For A Boycott Of Its Stores

Given the growing popularity of the hashtag “#boycottstarbucks,” social media users could be forgiven for thinking that unionized Starbucks workers are making an explicit demand for customers to lay off the lattes. In truth, they aren’t — for now. But Starbucks Workers United (SBWU) is teasing the idea, provocatively calling its customer solidarity pledge “No Contracts, No Coffee.” And certainly many individual Starbucks baristas might encourage you to spend your money elsewhere amid a corporate avalanche of unfair labor practices (ULPs).

In the wake of both a recent SBWU day of action and Cornell University’s announcement of plans to cut ties with the corporation, SBWU field organizer Daisy Pitkin said in a statement, “Our campaign hasn’t yet called for a boycott, though it’s clear that Starbucks customers are fed up with the company’s union busting and are ready to take action.” The campaign expressed the need for and appreciation of customer solidarity as it has been demonstrated through past store adoptions and the customer pledge. “We understand the power of consumers in our fight for a better Starbucks,” said Pitkin. “Their solidarity is part of how we will win our fight for a union and a fair first contract.”