Customers are invited to support Starbucks workers in their Red Cup Rebellion

At Starbucks coffee stores nationwide, Thursday is Red Cup Day, an annual holiday promotion that gives customers who order seasonal drinks reusable plastic cups. But many of its workers are using the day to push for better workplaces in what they’re calling a Red Cup Rebellion.

Starbucks Workers United is inviting all Starbucks baristas and shift supervisors to walk out that day in solidarity alongside thousands of Starbucks Workers United baristas in an unfair labor practices strike to protest Starbucks’ treatment.

In fact, workers at some stores walked out Wednesday, including at three in Pittsburgh — at Liberty and Baum boulevards, in Bloomfield and in Eastside.

Meanwhile, the unionized workers and their organizers are asking customers and allies to not cross picket lines, but rather to join and “to lead actions at Starbucks stores in their communities in solidarity with workers rising up for a fairer workplace.”

Actions are planned from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday at nonunion Starbucks locations around Pittsburgh including:

• Forbes & Shady — 6304 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15217

• Murray Ave — 2345 Murray Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15217

• Atwood — 3618 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213

• Shadyside — 730 Copeland St., Pittsburgh, PA 15232

• Bakery Square — 114 Bakery Square Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15206

• McKnight & Siebert — 4885 McKnight Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237

• McMasters — 4185 William Penn Highway, Monroeville, PA 15146

• North Side — 808 Ridge Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Then, from 12:30 to 3 p.m. at the University of Pittsburgh Amos Hall Starbucks store in Oakland (4022 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213), workers and allies will rally and work to convince Pitt students and passers-by to delete the Starbucks app from their phones.

People who can’t be at one of the events still can participate and support the effort. Details are available at https://sbworkersunited.org/red-cup-rebellion-2023.