More than 1,000 unionized Starbucks baristas went on strike at 65 stores in major U.S. cities Thursday, protesting stalled labor negotiations with the company.

The strike aimed to disrupt Starbucks’ Red Cup Day — one of its busiest days — when the company hands out free reusable cups to holiday drink buyers.

"We’re turning the Red Cup Season into the Red Cup Rebellion. Starbucks’ refusal to settle a fair union contract and end union busting is forcing us to take drastic action," Dachi Spoltore, a barista in Pittsburgh, said in a press release from Starbucks Workers United, the union organizing the strike.

Organizers said the strike would affect stores in 45 cities, including New York, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, San Diego, Dallas and Starbucks’ hometown of Seattle .

With no end date

See Full Page