Rep. Summer Lee Stands in Solidarity with Starbucks Workers United as Pittsburgh-Area Baristas Strike on Red Cup Day 

PITTSBURGH, PA – NOVEMBER 13, 2025 — Today, Congresswoman Summer L. Lee (PA-12) issued a statement in strong support of Starbucks Workers United (SBWU) as baristas across the Pittsburgh region and the country launched an open-ended strike on the company’s annual Red Cup Day—one of its busiest sales days of the year. 

The strike comes as workers continue to demand fair wages, reliable scheduling, and an end to what they describe as one of the most aggressive union-busting campaigns in modern history. Starbucks workers at more than a dozen unionized stores across Western Pennsylvania joined thousands nationwide in collective action to push for a fair contract. 

Rep Lee said, “Starbucks workers are demonstrating tremendous courage by taking collective action and demanding fair pay and a real seat at the table. That is what the labor movement is all about. In Western Pennsylvania and across the country, working people are showing up, putting in the work, and still struggling to make ends meet while executives take home millions. Starbucks’ corporate greed and union-busting tactics are unacceptable. No one should have to fight this hard to earn a living wage, get enough hours to qualify for benefits, or be treated with respect on the job. The power of the people will always be greater than the people in power, and I am proud to support SWU in this fight. Workers are the heart of this company, and until they get the fair contract they deserve, I will continue to stand in solidarity.” 

Rep. Lee has been a consistent advocate for labor rights and has joined workers and other union members on the picket line throughout her time in Congress. 

Congresswoman Summer Lee serves on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Committee on Education and Workforce. Since taking office in January 2023, she has delivered historic levels of federal investment totaling over $2.4 Billion brought back to Western PA, including over $580 million for infrastructure, over $110 million for affordable transit, over $500 million to keep clean energy manufacturing at home in Pennsylvania, and over $55 million on clean energy efforts in and around schools to help keep our kids and communities safe. These investments will help improve Western Pennsylvania’s infrastructure and transit, ensure cleaner air and drinking water, lower housing costs, fund research institutions, fuel clean manufacturing, fund STEM innovation and entrepreneurship, boost workforce development, and create thousands of good paying union jobs.  Lee and her team have also delivered casework and constituent services to over 3,000 constituents with issues ranging from helping our seniors and disabled community access Medicare and social security to helping folks secure housing and helping families with immigration support and passports.