Starbucks violated NYC labor laws. Now, they owe baristas $35.5 million.

From email.



New York City just confirmed what baristas have been saying for years. Starbucks broke NYC labor law over half a million times since 2021 by denying workers stable schedules, predictable hours, and the right to pick up shifts they were legally owed under NYC Fair WorkWeek laws. Now they’ll pay 35.5 million dollars directly to qualifying NYC baristas, union and non-union alike. Actions, meet consequences.


And while that news landed, workers were out on the picket line for day 19 of the nationwide ULP strike. NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and Senator Bernie Sanders joined workers on the line, and Mamdani summed it up perfectly: “Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol made $95 million last year. His workers are striking for the bare minimum.”


Their support means the world to us, and makes it clear: This fight isn't just about coffee. It's about dignity, fair wages, better hours, and an end to union busting..



The company's settlement with NYC's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection didn’t happen because Starbucks suddenly decided to respect workers. It happened because the union organized and kept pushing. Workers escalated, and we’re staying escalated.


Here is how to back baristas up right now:


DO NOT BUY Starbucks anywhere! Share No Contract No Coffee pledge to five people this holiday season. Growing the movement is how workers win.


A more direct way to support striking workers is to give to the Starbucks Workers United Strike National Fund so baristas can keep fighting for real protections.

Workers are proving what solidarity can win. Let’s help them finish the fight.


In solidarity,


Zarian Antonio Pouncy

Starbucks Workers United