Part 2/17:
Starbucks, however, disputes these claims, suggesting that fewer stores—less than half of the union’s tally—were genuinely affected, and many reopened shortly after closing. Despite over 125,000 signatures on a no-contract, no-coffee pledge, the company reports that the strike has caused minimal disruption, even on their historically significant Red Cup Day, a day known for giving away free reusable cups and typically marking their biggest sales day of the year. The gap in perspectives underscores the friction not just between labor and management but also reflects broader economic pressures affecting retail and service sectors.