Queens Starbucks Join Strike Against Unfair Labor Practices

QUEENS – Starbucks locations in Astoria and Maspeth are joining dozens of stores on strike against unfair labor practices and demanding Starbucks fully staff all stores.

The strike is taking place on the same day as “Red Cup Day,” a Starbucks campaign that gives customers a branded red cup with select purchases.

Protesting staff will instead hand customers Starbucks Workers United branded cups.

The strike comes as workers protest about understaffed stores and inconsistent schedules in the workplace. Starbucks employees are demanding improved standards in staffing and scheduling, as well as other proposals.

Queens locations on strike include two in Astoria, located at 30-18 Astoria Blvd. and
22-28 31st St., as well as the Maspeth store at 74-25 Grand Avenue.

Starbucks Workers United represents nearly 7,000 in more than 250 locations nationwide. The National Labor Relations Board has issued 39 official complaints against Starbucks, according to the group.

The Maspeth Starbucks was the latest Queens location to petition for a union election.

The flagship NYC Roastery, the first New York City Starbucks to unionize earlier this year, has been striking for more than 20 days.

Workers at the location told Patch they were picketing over bed bugs and black mold inside the Meatpacking District Starbucks, claims management disputed.