Unionized Starbucks workers have started their fourth day on strike. 

Workers walked off the job in over 40 cities last week. 

And this year’s strike has gotten attention from high-profile politicians. Both Seattle mayor-elect Katie Wilson and New York's mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani called on customers to boycott the coffee chain. 

Last week, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) urged Starbucks to cut a deal with the union. 

So what’s holding up negotiations? 

GUEST: Casey Martin, KUOW reporter covering the strike

RELATED LINKS: 
Unionized Starbucks' workers strike in Seattle, across the country

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Unionized Starbucks workers have started their fourth day on strike.&nbsp;
Workers walked off the job <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/nov/14/starbucks-strike-red-cup-rebellion">in over 40 cities last week</a>.&nbsp;
And this year&rsquo;s strike has gotten attention from high-profile politicians. Both Seattle mayor-elect Katie Wilson and New York's mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani called on customers to boycott the coffee chain.&nbsp;
Last week, <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/business/starbucks/sen-murray-urges-starbucks-to-reach-a-union-contract-as-strike-looms/">Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) urged Starbucks</a> to cut a deal with the union.&nbsp;
So what&rsquo;s holding up negotiations?&nbsp;
GUEST:&nbsp;Casey Martin, KUOW reporter covering the strike
RELATED LINKS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/unionized-starbucks-workers-go-on-strike-in-seattle-and-across-the-country">Unionized Starbucks' workers strike in Seattle, across the country</a><a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/casey-martin"></a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside

Workers are on strike at Seattle-area Starbucks locations. But what's stopping the union and the company from signing their first contract?

Advertisement