# US college rallies back Starbucks baristas’ boycott amid stalled contract talks

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/college-students-rally-in-support-of-starbucks-baristas-urging-boycott-over-contract-impasse/
- Published: 2026-11-12T11:00:48+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-12T11:34:26+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/nov/12/starbucks-workers-campus-rally-contract-talks
- Topics: Americas, Elections, Politics, World

## Key points

- Rallies backed the Starbucks boycott at more than 40 US campuses.
- The union wants $17 hourly pay and at least three workers per store.
- More than 12,000 baristas are represented by unionised stores.

## Summary

Students, Starbucks baristas, elected officials and other supporters held rallies at more than 40 US college campuses to back a boycott called by Starbucks Workers United. The union says talks over a first contract have stalled for nearly five years and is pressing the company for better pay and staffing.

The union is seeking a minimum wage of $17 an hour and at least three workers per store, alongside job security protections. More than 700 Starbucks stores, representing over 12,000 baristas, have voted to unionise; the first did so in Buffalo in December 2021. Some universities have already ended or reduced Starbucks deals, while the company says the rallies distract from bargaining and are unlikely to disrupt its holiday business.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.