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Bernie Sanders and Mayor‑elect Zohran Mamdani Join Brooklyn Starbucks Picket as City Announces $38.9M Settlement

Sen. Bernie Sanders and New York City mayor‑elect Zohran Mamdani joined striking Starbucks workers on a Brooklyn picket line as the city announced a $38.9 million settlement for alleged Fair Workweek violations. A multi‑year probe found over 500,000 violations at about 300 stores; more than 15,000 baristas are set to receive restitution this winter. The strike began on Red Cup Day and has spread nationwide, with union leaders warning it could expand to more than 500 stores if negotiations stall. Public figures' support and the large settlement have increased pressure on Starbucks over scheduling, pay and workplace practices.

05:07 AM, 12/03/2025Politics
Bernie Sanders and Mayor‑elect Zohran Mamdani Join Brooklyn Starbucks Picket as City Announces $38.9M Settlement

Sen. Bernie Sanders and New York City mayor‑elect Zohran Mamdani joined striking Starbucks workers on a Brooklyn picket line, lending high‑profile support to a labor campaign that has gained momentum this week.

Their visit came after city officials announced a $38.9 million settlement with Starbucks following a multi‑year investigation by the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. The probe found more than 500,000 alleged violations at roughly 300 stores, including arbitrary cuts to hours, unpredictable scheduling and keeping employees involuntarily part‑time. City officials said restitution checks will go out to more than 15,000 baristas as soon as this winter.

Outside the Brooklyn shop, Sanders and Mamdani walked the line, posed for photos with strikers and criticized the company’s labor practices. The walkout — which began on Red Cup Day, one of Starbucks’ busiest promotional events — has spread to dozens of locations nationwide and could expand to more than 500 stores if negotiations remain stalled.

Voices from the Picket Line

Sanders, a longtime advocate for organized labor, voiced support for employees seeking stable schedules and pay that covers living costs. Mamdani — who previously called for a citywide boycott during the dispute — highlighted what he called a stark pay gap between executives and frontline workers, noting the reported $95 million compensation for CEO Brian Niccol last year while employees say they are striking for basic stability and respect.

'Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol made $95 million last year. His workers are striking for the bare minimum. Glad to be on the right side of the picket line with them,' Mamdani wrote on social media after the visit.

Union leaders framed the municipal settlement as a major victory and evidence of what collective action can achieve. In a press release, a Workers United representative called the agreement a 'major victory.' Kai Fritz, identified as a New York City Starbucks worker, said: 'We are continuing to fight back against Starbucks' greed and will not stop until we have a fair contract that ensures the support and protections we need to thrive.'

Starbucks did not immediately respond to requests for comment. With national attention focused on scheduling, pay and corporate accountability at one of the country’s largest employers, the dispute appears likely to remain a prominent example in ongoing conversations about workplace rights and predictable scheduling in the modern service economy.

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