The “Red Cup Rebellion” led to thousands of unionized workers walking off the job Nov. 16 and marking the biggest work stoppage in the company’s history.
The workers organized about 360 Starbucks stores to participate, representing less than 4% of the chain’s more 9,000 U.S. locations. The union alleges that Starbucks has disregarded workers’ concerns over staffing, scheduling and other workplace issues.
Juniper Schweitzer, a 16-year Starbucks employee, said she loves the company, but notes that it is failing to live up to the ideals it says it values. “They have promised the world to us and they have not delivered,” she said.
A Starbucks spokesperson told CBS MoneyWatch that the vast majority of stores were open for the day. “There are also a few dozen stores with some partners on strike, and more than half of those stores are open this morning serving customers,” the spokesperson said of Nov. 16.
Read the full article from CBS News.