Liputan6.com, Jakarta Starbucks returned to its annual Starbucks Red Cup Day tradition on Thursday, November 13, 2025.
The event allowed customers to receive a free, limited-edition red reusable cup.
Advertisement
However, the festive promotion was marred by a strike by thousands of baristas belonging to the Starbucks Workers United (SWU) union in more than 65 stores across the United States.
The strike coincided with one of Starbucks' busiest days, unofficially marking the start of the company's holiday season.
Workers staged the protest to demand stalled contract negotiations and improved working conditions.
They called for better wages, more predictable work schedules, and increased staffing.
The strike was a continuation of tensions between Starbucks management and the union, which have been ongoing for some time.
The union called the action the "Red Cup Rebellion" and threatened to expand the strike if their demands were not met.
Employee Strike Highlights Starbucks Red Cup Day 2025
Amidst the excitement of Starbucks Red Cup Day, the Starbucks Workers United (SWU) union launched a significant strike.
The strike involved more than 1,000 baristas in approximately 65 stores across more than 40 cities in the United States.
The protest aimed to draw public attention to workers' unmet demands.
The primary cause of the strike was the first union contract negotiations, which had stalled for years.
Workers were demanding better wages, more predictable work schedules, increased staffing, and a resolution of hundreds of unfair labor practice (ULP) allegations filed against the company.
They had authorized the strike with a 92% approval rating if contract talks failed to progress.
Did the Strike Affect Store?
The SWU described the strike as an "opening strike" and a "Red Cup Rebellion," with no clear timeframe.
They threatened to expand the strike to more locations if a fair contract agreement was not reached.
This is not the first time Starbucks workers have gone on strike on Red Cup Day; thousands of workers also staged a similar strike in 2023.
In response, Starbucks stated that the vast majority of its stores, over 99%, were unaffected by the strike and that they were on track to exceed sales expectations.
The company also claimed to offer the best wages and benefits in the retail sector, averaging over $30 per hour.
However, the union disputed Starbucks' claims regarding the number of stores and union members, while more than 100 members of Congress have signed a letter urging the Starbucks CEO to end the dispute.
The Excitement of Starbucks Red Cup Day 2025
Starbucks Red Cup Day is a highly anticipated event for coffee lovers around the world.
On November 13, 2025, customers have the opportunity to receive a free reusable red cup with every purchase of a handmade holiday or seasonal beverage.
This event officially marks the start of the holiday season at Starbucks and is also one of the company's highest-selling days of the year.
The 2025 limited-edition cup features a unique hand-illustrated design by designer Yvonne Chan. It is also crafted with a commitment to sustainability, using 95% recycled materials.
Each year, the cup design changes, making it a desirable collectible for many loyal customers.
Customers can claim the free red cup in a variety of ways, including in-store, through the drive-thru, ordering through the Starbucks app, and through delivery services like DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats.
In addition to free cups, Starbucks also offers additional benefits for environmentally conscious customers.
Those who bring back a red cup or other eco-friendly cup for their next beverage purchase will receive a 10-cent discount.
Starbucks Rewards members will even earn double stars, a compelling incentive to encourage the use of reusable cups.