By Marco Shalma
The instinct behind the boycott makes sense. It began as a national action driven by Starbucks Workers United. Only about 4 percent of Starbucks workers nationwide are unionized, but that small group pushed a national strike into motion. Their goal is simple. Better wages, stronger protections, and fair treatment. Anyone who has ever worked in food service knows why that matters. Supporting workers is part of the city’s identity.
The first reality is that 4,500 Starbucks employees in New York City feel the impact long before any corporate office does. Baristas. Shift leads. Students. Immigrant workers juggling two jobs. People who rely on steady hours to survive. They live close to the edge. Any disruption hits them first. That is the part we cannot ignore.
The next group is small businesses. They are already burdened with high rent, rising insurance, and the daily cost of staying open in a city that does not make it easy. A large employer that pays tens of millions in taxes helps carry the load. If that revenue dips, the shortfall rolls downhill. Smaller operators are the ones who feel the pressure next. They raise prices, cut hours, or shut their doors. None of that strengthens a neighborhood.