Downtown San Antonio Starbucks workers join more than 100 stores striking this Thursday

More than 1,000 Starbucks employees — including the staff at one of its downtown San Antonio stores — went on strike Thursday, refusing to sling coffee on one of the company’s busiest days of the year.

Members of the Starbucks Workers Union said the walkout amounts to the group’s largest single-day strike. It’s happening on Red Cup Day, when the chain gives out limited-edition holiday reusable cups.

The Starbucks Workers Union shared a list of striking stores on Twitter, including the downtown outlet at the intersection of Houston and St. Mary’s streets. The only other Texas stores listed in the action are in Austin and Houston.

The labor organization wants to negotiate new contracts that let employees have a voice in setting corporate policies, according to its website. These policies include rights on the job, health and safety conditions, protections from unfair firings or unfair discipline, seniority rights, leave of absence rights, benefits and wages.

The union alleges that Starbucks has fired baristas in retaliation for their organizing efforts and that it’s also created roadblocks for union members who tried to meet with corporate lawyers, such as requesting last-minute scheduling changes.

The strike is expected to last until 6 p.m. Thursday evening.

Coming soon: SA Current Daily newsletter. We’ll send you a handful of interesting San Antonio stories every morning. Subscribe now to not miss a thing.

Follow us: Google News | NewsBreak | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Related Stories

Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn of Texas vote to block bill codifying same-sex marriage

The Defense of Marriage Act was advanced in the Senate on Wednesday with the support of 12 Republicans.

San Antonio Philharmonic’s next concert features music evoking far-flung locales

The program to be performed on Nov. 18 and 19 will feature works by Ralph Vaughan Williams and Gustav Holst.

Tyson Foods recalls 94,000 pounds of ground beef chubs sold in Texas H-E-B stores

The meat may be contaminated with mirror-like material, according to H-E-B officials.

New San Antonio bar Summer Camp takes over former Hello Paradise location

Along with burgers and all-beef coneys, the new spot serves up a small menu of specialty cocktails.

San Antonio’s next Cowboy Breakfast may not happen, organizers warn

Organizers of the event say costs and logistics required to produce the event have gone up.

San Antonio Starbucks workers rally to celebrate one-year anniversary of first union store

In the past year, nearly 270 Starbucks locations, including five in San Antonio, have unionized.

Bad Takes: Starbucks treats its workers like shit, and politicos allow the company to get away with it

Even though 301 Starbucks stores won their union elections, they’ve so far achieved zero union contracts to show for it, thanks to the company’s brazen obstruction.

This article appears in Nov 16-29, 2022.