KANSAS CITY Metro. — “The Red Cup Rebellion,” organized by Starbucks Workers United (SBWU) began on Nov. 13, 2025 with a mission to draw attention toward unfair labor practices occurring at various Starbucks Coffee Company locations across the U.S.
Denial of worker requests for increased staff and pay — which includes an average starting wage of $15.25 for 33 out of 50 states, including Missouri and Kansas — as well as resolution for unfair labor practices has led workers at these multi-billion dollar coffee shops across the country to line streets in front of Starbucks coffee shops with picket lines, including two local locations — 9013 State Line Road and 6920 Mission Road in Prairie Village, Kan.
While these two locations are no longer on strike Shwetha Ganesh, an SBWU representative shared with The Labor Beacon via email, various locations from coast to coast are still participating in what SBWU has referred to as the longest nationwide unfair labor practice strike in Starbucks history.
“The longest nationwide ULP strike in Starbucks history continues and more union baristas are prepared to join us on the picket lines if Starbucks continues to break labor laws and stonewall progress toward a fair contract,” Anaheim, Calif., Union Strike Starbucks Barista, Christi Gomoljak said in a statement.
“Recently, there was a shift change on the strike line. Some baristas who were previously on strike have returned to work to organize their stores, secure their livelihoods and continue improving their workplace. Striking isn’t easy. It’s a huge risk to take on, and I’m proud that so many allies and customers have our backs. We all care about our coworkers, our customers, and Starbucks’s future. It’s why we organize, and it’s why we’re demanding better pay, reliable hours and for Starbucks to follow the law,” she said.
Over the past two months, over 1,000 baristas across over 25 cities have participated in the Red Cup Rebellion — with two shops located within the Kansas City Metro — including 19 stores who have filed for union election since Dec. 23 to represent over 300 baristas in 15 states, SBWU shared with The Labor Beacon.
On Dec. 23 and Dec. 24, the Kansas City Chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (KC DSA) participated in action events at two Starbucks Coffee locations in partnership with SBWU, drawing 15 to 20 picketers to 4101 Main St. and 1701 W. 39th St on both days.
“We had a good turn out and similar reactions; it went really well,” KC DSA Steering Committee Member, Carlisle Bellerive said in an interview. “We had people turning away, honking and [customers] who said they wouldn’t have come to [Starbucks] if they would have known there was a strike.”
Picketing in front of stores has remained a common form of protest for many baristas and allies on strike. However, Bellerive shared some states have participated in alternative action options including flying pickets and following behind Starbucks delivery drivers. While they shared this is not an option in Kansas City as local Starbucks delivery drivers are not unionized, KC DSA completed what it refers to as “sipins” or ordering a drink from a Starbucks Coffee location under the name “union strong” before the strikes started to build and foster union support and solidarity.
Bellerive said they are unsure of when the next local picket event will take place. However, for those interested in joining the front lines, KC DSA encourages those to follow Starbucks Workers United on social media to stay up to date with future events or reach out to KC DSA directly at KCDSA.org for additional information.
“My emphasis is we need the increased union density; we need to show up and support union workers,” Bellerive said in an interview. “Over the next year, we need to work on developing union density and building coalitions. SBWU is a great way to show support.
Julia Williams — a Kansas City native — is a reporter and digital producer for The Labor Beacon. A University of Missouri School of Journalism alumna, she previously served as the editor-in-chief of The Northeast News before joining The Labor Beacon staff.
Williams’s grandfather was a Claycomo Ford Motor Company retiree and avid UAW Local 249 supporter, allowing her to understand the union difference from a young age.
In her free time, Williams enjoys spending time with her family, traveling to see her friends and hanging out at home with her cat, Greta. She loves a good cup of coffee, seeing local, live music and shopping secondhand. With a passion for storytelling, she hopes to bring her knowledge of journalistic integrity to the Kansas City union community — giving union and labor workers a voice, while holding people in powerful positions accountable.
