Starbucks employees and supporters practice picketing in front of a Starbucks store in New York, USA, on Wednesday, October 1, 2025.
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Requested by over 100 members starbucks In a letter sent to CEO Brian Nicol on Monday, it called for a resumption of negotiations with Workers United, the union representing the coffee giant’s baristas.
The two letters, from the Congressional Labor Caucus and a group of senators led by Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, come as the union threatens to strike in 25 cities starting Thursday. This day coincides with Starbucks’ Red Cup Day, one of the biggest sales days of the holiday season.
“It is clear that Starbucks has the resources to reach a fair agreement with its employees,” the Senate letter, signed by 26 members of Congress, said. “Starbucks must change course from its current stance, resolve existing labor disputes, and enter into honest and fair contracts with these employees.”
Parliamentary Labor’s second letter has been signed by 82 MPs.
Lawmakers argued that the coffee giant has the resources to increase employee pay and benefits, citing Mr. Nicol’s $95 million in compensation since his hire. The company said $90 million of the compensation package was in the form of stock bonuses to cover the stock Mr. Nicol left in Chipotle when he moved to Starbucks for the CEO role.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) speaks to reporters outside the Senate chamber at the U.S. Capitol on November 8, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Aaron Schwartz | Getty Images
Workers United announced last week that a strike authorization vote received 92% approval from union members. If the union decides to strike, it will be open-ended. Workers United is demanding better working hours, higher wages and the resolution of hundreds of unfair labor practice charges against the company.
The parties have not engaged in active contract negotiations since talks broke down late last year. Starbucks and the union went to arbitration in February, and hundreds of barista representatives voted against Starbucks’ proposed stimulus package in April.
Both sides point to the other side’s responsibility for not reaching a negotiating agreement and say they are willing to negotiate.
Workers United, which began organizing at Starbucks in 2021, says it now represents more than 12,000 workers at more than 650 stores. The company told CNBC last week that the union only represents 9,500 employees at 550 cafes.
Michelle Eisen, a spokeswoman for Starbucks Workers United, said in a statement last week: “We want Starbucks to succeed, but rebuilding the company and bringing customers back starts with listening to and supporting the baristas who are responsible for the Starbucks experience. If Starbucks continues to interfere, they should expect their business to shut down. The ball is in Starbucks’ court.”
Following the outcome of last week’s strike vote, Starbucks said it is ready to serve customers at its approximately 18,000 company-operated and licensed stores this holiday season.
“As we all know, Starbucks offers some of the best jobs in the retail industry, offering hourly partners an average wage of more than $30 an hour, plus benefits and benefits. Workers United, which represents just 4% of our partners, has chosen to stay out of the bargaining table. We have asked them multiple times to come back, and if they are ready to come back, we are open to discussions and believe we can move quickly to a reasonable deal,” Starbucks spokesperson Jaycee Anderson told CNBC in a statement Monday.
Starbucks Chief Partner Officer Sarah Kelly reiterated her belief that a deal could be reached quickly in a letter to workers referencing last week’s strike authorization vote.
“We have been at the table for months working in good faith with Workers United and representatives from across the country to reach an agreement that makes sense for our partners and the long-term success of Starbucks,” Kelly said. “More than 30 preliminary agreements have been reached regarding full contract terms.”
“Our approach to negotiations remains unchanged,” she added. “Workers United has walked away from the table, but if they are ready to come back, we are ready to talk. We believe we can move quickly towards a reasonable agreement.”
Reuters earlier reported on the letter from lawmakers.
— CNBC’s Amelia Lucas contributed to this report
