New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic socialist who won a surprise victory in the November 4 election, has called on residents to join a boycott of Starbucks. His message comes amid a nationwide strike by over 1,000 unionized baristas demanding fair contracts, better pay, and an end to alleged unfair labor practices.
In a post on X on November 14, Mamdani wrote: “Starbucks workers across the country are on an Unfair Labor Practices strike, fighting for a fair contract. While workers are on strike, I won’t be buying any Starbucks, and I’m asking you to join us. Together, we can send a powerful message: No contract, no coffee.” The post, shared with his more than 1 million followers, quickly garnered over 1.4 million views and sparked widespread discussion.
The boycott aligns with the Starbucks Workers United’s “Red Cup Rebellion,” an open-ended strike launched on November 14, the chain’s popular Red Cup Day, when free reusable holiday cups draw huge crowds. Workers in more than 25 cities, including New York, Philadelphia, and Seattle, walked out to protest stalled negotiations. The union accuses Starbucks of over 400 labor law violations, as ruled by National Labor Relations Board judges, and sudden closures of 59 unionized stores nationwide.
Starbucks, which operates nearly 200 locations in New York City alone, maintains that it offers competitive wages, averaging $19 per hour, or over $30 with benefits, and rejects the union’s demands as unreasonable. A company spokesperson noted the strike affects only about 4% of its U.S. workforce and did not disrupt Red Cup Day sales.
Mamdani framed the action as a peaceful exercise of consumer power, encouraging New Yorkers to “vote with their wallets” by supporting local cafés and independent businesses. The call has drawn support from figures like Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Sen. Ed Markey, who echoed demands for good-faith negotiations.
While some online critics argue barista roles are part-time and that boycotts could lead to automation, Mamdani’s stance highlights his pro-labor platform. As he prepares to take office, this early move signals a focus on corporate accountability.
