Starbucks investors urge company to restart union talks

Published: Friday, October 17, 2025 at 12:55 pm

Starbucks Shareholders Push for Renewed Union Negotiations

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, along with several other prominent long-term Starbucks shareholders, has penned a letter urging the coffee giant to restart negotiations with its workers' union, Starbucks Workers United (SBWU). The letter, posted on the New York City Comptroller's website, addresses Starbucks board members Jorgen Vig Knudstorp and Beth Ford, expressing concerns over the deteriorating labor relations within the company.

The shareholders' letter highlights a series of issues, including over one hundred Unfair Labor Practice complaints filed this year, in-store actions, partner walkouts, protests over store closings, and strikes. The letter emphasizes the lack of a contract agreement despite the union's initial success over three years ago. The first unionized Starbucks store in the U.S. was in Buffalo, New York, in December 2021. Currently, over 650 Starbucks stores across the country have unionized.

Negotiations between Starbucks and SBWU, which represents over 12,000 baristas, began in April of last year but have since stalled. Union members staged multi-day strikes during the peak holiday season in December. The SBWU has republished excerpts from the shareholder letter on its website. Starbucks has not yet responded to requests for comment. This comes as Starbucks announced plans to close underperforming stores in North America, including its flagship unionized outlet in Seattle, as part of a $1 billion restructuring plan.

BNN's Perspective:

The shareholders' intervention underscores the growing pressure on Starbucks to address its labor issues. While the company's restructuring efforts are understandable in a challenging economic climate, the ongoing labor disputes could potentially impact the brand's reputation and financial performance. Finding a resolution that satisfies both the company's business objectives and the workers' needs is crucial for long-term stability.

Keywords: Starbucks, union, negotiations, shareholders, Starbucks Workers United, SBWU, labor relations, Unfair Labor Practice, strikes, contract agreement, restructuring, Brad Lander, Jorgen Vig Knudstorp, Beth Ford

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