Congressman Ro Khanna (CA-17) joined striking Starbucks baristas at a picket line in Long Beach on Saturday.

A media statement from Starbucks praised the Democrat for standing in solidarity with unionized Starbucks baristas who are protesting as part of the Red Cup Rebellion. The strike began on the company’s Red Cup Day, which officially ushers in the holiday season with the introduction of red, holiday-themed cups — and it’s often the busiest time of year for the coffee giant.

This year, Red Cup Day was on Nov. 13, meaning the walkout, which continues to grow, has lasted more than a month.

The ongoing unfair labor practice strike is a large effort by baristas who are disputing Starbucks’ “historic union busting and failure to finalize a fair union contract.”

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“For over six months, Starbucks has stonewalled union baristas by refusing to put forth new proposals to address their core demands,” the union said in a media statement. “Workers United and Starbucks are not currently engaged in contract negotiations as Starbucks has refused to put forth new proposals that address union baristas’ demands.”

Said demands include better hours to improve staffing in Starbucks stores, higher take-home pay and resolution for “hundreds of outstanding unfair labor practice charges for union busting.”

“Finalizing a fair union contract would cost Starbucks less than one average day’s sales and less than Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol’s $96 million compensation for just four months of work in 2024, which is the biggest CEO-to-worker pay gap in the country and 6,666 times the average barista’s salary,” the union stated.

Union officials added that they have received endorsements from more than 100 U.S. Senators and Congressmembers and a further 180 state and local officials. Other unions, such as the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, SAG-AFTRA, SEIU and others have also pledged support.

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