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Starbucks is ringing in the holidays with the return of Red Cup Day, but a planned strike by union baristas could bring the company’s biggest promotional day of the year to a grinding halt at some locations.
On Thursday, Nov. 13, customers can score a free reusable red cup when they order any handcrafted holiday drink at participating Starbucks stores nationwide, the coffee giant said in a news release.
That same day, union baristas are expected to walk off the job in protest amid an ongoing battle for a fair contract with the Washington-based coffee company. Starbucks Workers United, which represents employees at roughly 600 U.S. stores, is pushing for improved hours, staffing and pay, among other demands.
“After months of stonewalling by Starbucks, unionized baristas just voted 92% to authorize a ULP strike unless $SBUX finalizes fair contracts & stops union busting,” the union wrote on X.
Employees plan to strike in dozens of cities — but what about in Charlotte?
Here’s what to know ahead of Red Cup Day 2025.
Will Charlotte area stores be affected by the strike?
Of the more than 50 Starbucks coffeehouses in and around the Charlotte metro, none are unionized and likely won’t be impacted by the employee walkout.
The Charlotte Observer reached out to Starbucks Workers United for more information on Wednesday, Nov. 12, and was awaiting a response.
There are less than 10 SBWU Union stores statewide, per the union’s website:
It’s unclear if any non-union Starbucks stores plan to participate in a show of solidarity, but the company said it expects Red Cup Day to go off without a hitch.
“Our customers can be assured that our partners will be ready to serve them at the vast majority of our more than 10,000 company operated coffeehouses and nearly 7,000 licensed locations throughout the holiday season, regardless of the union’s plans,” a Starbucks spokesperson told CharlotteFive.
Why are Starbucks baristas striking?
Starbucks Workers United is demanding:
- Better hours to improve staffing
- Higher take-home pay
- Resolved labor practice charges related to union busting
The union staged a similar protest during Red Cup Day 2023, during which it called Starbucks to the negotiating table to address longstanding issues like understaffing.
“It’s nightmarish,” Neha Cremin, a barista at a Starbucks in Oklahoma City told McClatchy News at the time. “We’ve got walk up orders … mobile orders going off, we’ve got delivery orders going off and we’re expected to keep up with all of this … while we don’t have enough staffing to serve all these customers.”
Starbucks emphasized there will be no impacts at most locations, adding that less than 1% of stores have participated in previous union protests.
“We are disappointed that Workers United, who only represents around 4% of our partners, has voted to authorize a strike instead of returning to the bargaining table,” a Starbucks spokesperson told CharlotteFive in a statement.
The spokesperson pointed to Starbucks’ “more than $30 an hour on average” pay and benefits for hourly workers, describing the coffeehouse as “the best job in retail.”
“When they’re ready to come back, we’re ready to talk.”
A contract between the two parties hasn’t been finalized as of Wednesday, Nov. 12.
What’s Red Cup Day?
The annual giveaway rolls around every November and is one of Starbucks’ busiest days of the year.
Customers who buy any handcrafted beverage from Starbucks’ holiday menu will get a free, limited-edition red cup, while supplies last. Eligible drinks include:
- Egg Nog Latte
- Chestnut Praline Latte
- Peppermint Mocha
- Iced Gingerbread Chai
- Iced Sugar Cookie Breve
This year’s cup, a 16-ounce chalice featuring a festive drawing of a Starbucks storefront, will be available whether you order in-store, in the drive-thru or on the mobile app.
Customers can also score the freebie on DoorDash, GrubHub and other third-party delivery sites.
This story was originally published November 12, 2025 at 3:33 PM.
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Tanasia Kenney
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