Starbucks has lost 11 billion dollars in value since Nov. 16, 2023 after Starbucks Workers United posted “Solidarity with Palestine” on Twitter on Oct. 9. While the post was only up for 40 minutes before it was deleted, posts replying to the statement from local Starbucks branches were still available. Since then, Starbucks’ deprivation in sales have been partly due to boycotts from customers responding to Starbucks’ reaction to their union’s post. One Seattle-based Starbucks has filed a lawsuit against the union because the post shows solidarity with Palestine. The company stated on Starbucks social media stories and news websites that “We unequivocally condemn these acts of terrorism, hate and violence and disagree with the statements and views expressed by Workers United and its members.”
While Starbucks has shared official statements expressing sympathy for both innocent victims in Palestine and Israel, the lawsuit against the union was filed after its solidarity post with Palestine. Tensions have arisen on social media over differing opinions regarding the situation which has led to the Starbucks boycott movement causing customers to boycott the corporation in support of Palestine and Starbucks’ union workers.
Finn Walsh, a Franklin High School (FHS) student who continued going to Starbucks throughout the boycott, says that he didn’t know the boycott was happening. He mentions that after learning about the boycott, he didn’t go to Starbucks as much.
Tyra Nguyen, a Starbucks employee, shares that while she agrees with the boycott, some customers have come into the store and yelled at employees for working there. In Nguyen’s opinion, “the boycott is working and Starbucks is one of the major corporations that lost a lot of money” due to the conflict. However, she continues, saying she believes that this won’t really affect the company because of how much money they had to start off with.
Ella Lewandowski, a junior at FHS, says she doesn’t think the boycott will work since there are still lots of people who still go to Starbucks or don’t know what’s going on and still go. “The people who still go to Starbucks aren’t bad people and that doesn’t necessarily mean they support [the Israeli government],” adds Lewandowski. “[They] just want a drink.” Lewandowski shares she supports the continuation of the boycott as she sees this as a way of trying to make a difference.
Another Starbucks employee chimes in on their take on the matter, as they state that “Starbucks suing their union is a ridiculous thing.” They elaborate, saying that the company is suing a union made to serve their own employees, which will severely negatively impact the future relationship between Starbucks and their employees. There are many differing opinions on the current conflicts between Starbucks, their union, and how that relationship impacts their consumers. Yet, the boycott still continues as we learn more about the situation.
