Socialist Party USA Endorses Boycott of Starbucks

WHEREAS, More than 12,000 Starbucks baristas across the United States have organized with Workers United-SEIU in order to secure fair wages, adequate staffing, sufficient hours, workplace protections, and a voice on the job; and

WHEREAS, Despite nearly five years of worker organizing and bargaining efforts, Starbucks has failed to finalize a fair first collective bargaining agreement with union baristas; and

WHEREAS, Starbucks has become the largest violator of U.S. labor law in modern history, with repeated findings of unlawful conduct against workers exercising their legally protected right to organize and bargain collectively; and

WHEREAS, Starbucks workers are seeking a fair, reasonable contract that would provide better pay, better staffing, enough hours to earn a living and qualify for benefits, and stronger workplace protections; and

WHEREAS, Socialist Party USA members will always stand with working people across industries in the shared fight for dignity, respect, fair compensation, safe workplaces, and the fundamental right to organize; and

WHEREAS, The Socialist Party USA has a proud history of supporting workers engaged in collective action and collective bargaining struggles and recognizes that an injury to one worker is an injury to all workers; and

WHEREAS, Corporate greed and growing economic inequality threaten the well-being of working families and communities, while workers continue to struggle for a fair share of the wealth they create;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That the Socialist Party USA hereby sanctions and endorses the boycott of Starbucks called for by Workers United-SEIU; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Socialist Party USA encourages its members and supporters to support union Starbucks baristas by refraining from purchasing Starbucks products until Starbucks finalizes a fair union contract with organized workers; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Socialist Party USA pledges to operate as a Starbucks-free organization during the duration of the boycott, meaning that Starbucks products shall not be purchased with organization funds for meetings, conferences, trainings, offices, conventions, or other official events; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Socialist Party USA shall communicate this action to SPUSA local and state organizations and encourage them to adopt similar Starbucks-free policies; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Socialist Party USA shall continue to stand in solidarity with union Starbucks baristas and support lawful actions aimed at securing a fair collective bargaining agreement; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, That this boycott shall remain in effect until Workers United-SEIU and Starbucks reach and ratify a fair union contract that addresses workers' demands for fair wages, adequate staffing, sufficient hours, workplace protections, and respect on the job.

passed by the SPUSA National Executive Committee 9/7/26