Starbucks workers at dozens of unionized locations across the city quietly returned to work this week, ending a nearly three-month strike that began before Christmas.
The walkout, which started Dec. 20, affected stores in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens as workers demanded better scheduling, improved benefits and recognition of their union contracts. Workers at locations in Midtown, the Lower East Side and Park Slope were among those who participated.
Union representatives said the strike officially ended Monday, though some workers had already begun returning to their shifts last week. The Workers United union, which represents baristas at more than 500 Starbucks locations nationwide, did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the terms of the agreement.
“We’re glad to be back serving our communities,” said Maria Santos, a shift supervisor at the Union Square location who helped organize the walkout. “This was never about disrupting customers — it was about getting the company to respect our right to organize.”
The strike began during one of the busiest periods for coffee shops, with workers walking off the job at stores from Times Square to Downtown Brooklyn. Starbucks kept most locations open using managers and workers from non-union stores, though several temporarily reduced hours.
Starbucks Workers United called the action in response to what organizers described as the company’s refusal to negotiate fair contracts at unionized stores. The union said Starbucks had been stalling on talks while cutting hours and benefits at union locations.
A Starbucks spokesperson said the company was “pleased to welcome back our partners” and remained committed to negotiating in good faith with union representatives.
The coffee giant has faced a wave of organizing efforts since workers at a Buffalo store became the first to unionize in 2021. More than 370 U.S. locations have voted to join Workers United, including about 30 in New York City.
The National Labor Relations Board has filed multiple complaints against Starbucks, alleging the company illegally retaliated against union organizers by closing stores, cutting hours and firing pro-union workers. Starbucks has denied wrongdoing.
Workers said they plan to continue pushing for their first contracts while resuming normal operations. The union has not announced whether additional job actions are planned.
