Res. No. 718
Resolution endorsing the boycott of Starbucks called for by Workers United-SEIU and encouraging City residents and agencies to refrain from purchasing Starbucks products until Starbucks finalizes a fair union contract
By Council Members Cabàn, Ossé, Hanif, Epstein, Avilés, Farías, Aldebol, Krishnan, Joseph, Restler, Marte, Nurse, Abreu, Santosuosso, Schulman, Gutiérrez, P. Sanchez, Hudson and Brewer
Whereas, New York City is home to one of the largest and most active labor movements in the nation, and the Council of the City of New York has long affirmed the right of working people to organize, bargain collectively, and secure fair wages and safe working conditions; and
Whereas, Since December 2021, workers at more than 700 Starbucks stores across the United States, including 65 stores in New York State, have voted to unionize with Starbucks Workers United, an affiliate of Workers United and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU); and
Whereas, Starbucks Workers United now represents approximately 12,000 workers, yet nearly five years after the first stores voted to unionize, not one of those workers is covered by a collective bargaining agreement; and
Whereas, Starbucks and Starbucks Workers United began contract bargaining in April 2024 and reached tentative agreements on a number of subjects, but talks broke down in December 2024 and a first contract has still not been finalized; and
Whereas, The baristas' core contract demands include a $17 starting wage, 4% annual raises, more consistent hours, minimum staffing levels, just-cause protections, and stronger health and safety protections, including measures to protect workers from assaults by customers; and
Whereas, Since 2021, Starbucks Workers United has filed over 1,000 unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board alleging, among other things, retaliation against pro-union workers, the unlawful withholding of raises and benefits from unionized baristas, and a failure to bargain in good faith; and
Whereas, On November 13, 2025, Starbucks Workers United launched an open-ended unfair labor practice strike, with 92 percent of union baristas voting to authorize it, which at its December 2025 peak included more than 4,500 baristas at approximately 230 stores, including stores in New York City; and
Whereas, More than 200,000 customers and supporters have signed the union's "No Contract, No Coffee" pledge, committing not to purchase from Starbucks until a fair contract is reached; and
Whereas, In November 2025, then-Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani publicly urged New Yorkers not to buy Starbucks while baristas were on strike; and
Whereas, On December 1, 2025, the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection announced a $38.9 million settlement with Starbucks resolving more than half a million violations of the City's Fair Workweek Law at more than 300 locations since 2021, requiring more than $35.5 million in restitution to more than 15,000 New York City workers; and
Whereas, On August 25, 2026, Starbucks Workers United called for an open-ended boycott of Starbucks' corporate-owned stores, asking individuals, unions, and organizations to stop patronizing the company, including by avoiding Starbucks catering and sponsorships, until a fair union contract is finalized; and
Whereas, Starbucks Workers United has stated that a fair contract would cost the company less than one day's sales; and
Whereas, On October 1, 2026, the Philadelphia City Council adopted a resolution endorsing the boycott and pledging not to use city funds at Starbucks until the company reaches a contract with its workers; and
Whereas, The purchasing decisions of New Yorkers City residents, carries significant weight, and directing those dollars away from Starbucks until it finalizes a fair contract would send a powerful message that New York City stands with working people; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York endorses the boycott of Starbucks called for by Workers United-SEIU and encouraging New York City residents and City agencies to refrain from purchasing Starbucks products until Starbucks finalizes a fair union contract.
LS 27216
EA
10/29/26