UPDATES: Workers are taking on the powerful at Starbucks, Aramark, Microsoft, and the White House
AUGUST 15, 2025 | TEAM COWORKER
In this edition of the Lunch Break Labor News, we have updates on worker organizing at Starbucks, the Trump administration’s mass firings of federal workers, tech worker protests of contracts with the Israeli military, and striking Aramark workers at Fenway Park.
As the country struggles against economic uncertainty, mass layoffs, and attacks on the social safety net wrought by the White House, workers stay together, fight together, and struggle together against the ultra-rich and anti-labor policies. Here are some of the most important updates for workers right now:
Starbucks Workers Continue The Fight
A recent report from AFL-CIO uncovered that Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol has the widest pay gap between CEO and median worker amongst all S&P 500 companies. Niccol made just under $98 million last year compared to $15,000 for the median Starbucks employee, meaning Niccol makes a whopping 6,666x more than his average employee. All while 12,000+ unionized Starbucks workers are still waiting on a fair contract from Starbucks executives after more than four years of organizing.
Starbucks Workers United are continuing their fight for fair pay, benefits and working conditions. A Starbucks store in Huntsville, Alabama unionized in May and workers at a store near Disneyland protested poor working conditions, low pay, and lack of support from management by holding a work stoppage. While workers organize, Starbucks built a new luxury office building right near Niccol’s home.
Workers will prevail in the fight against corporate greed, and we know Starbucks baristas won’t give in.
The Trump Administration’s Attacks on Federal Workers
The Trump administration hasn’t slowed its destruction of the federal workforce — including the recent abrupt firing of the Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner, Erika McEntarfer. The White House reacted to plain economic data analysis with an action that has “few precedents in the century-long history of economic statistics in the United States.” It’s an example of the haphazard, damaging decisions to slash the federal workforce and threaten government services.
In July, the State Department fired 1,300 workers, adding to the tens of thousands of federal employees terminated this year. Three more were fired at the Department of Justice where hundreds of others have been laid off — leaving the department’s workforce “foundering.” Federal workers have discussed the mental toll of government cuts, one calling it “a never-ending nightmare.”
Worker Protests at Microsoft Over Contracts with the Israeli Military
Worker protests have spread across Microsoft over the tech company’s cloud and AI contracts with the Israeli military. A worker group called No Azure for Apartheid, comprised of current and former Microsoft employees, want an end to the contracts they say contribute to human rights abuses against Palestinians in Gaza.
In May, a Microsoft worker disrupted the CEO’s keynote address at the company’s developer conference, with one shouting, “Free Palestine.” He followed with an email to co-workers saying, “Leadership rejects our claims that Azure technology is being used to target or harm civilians in Gaza. Those of us who have been paying attention know that this is a bold-faced lie.”
The worker action included one of the 50 Google employees fired last year after workers protested Google’s $1.2 billion Project Nimbus, which supports the Israeli military and government.
Unionized Stadium Workers Strike for a Fair Contract
Fenway Park concessions workers went on strike late last month for the first time in the 113-year history of the Boston stadium. The workers, employed by Aramark, are pushing for better wages and specific guardrails on the use of AI-powered kiosks. Unite Here Local 26 urged fans attending games to boycott concessions in the stadium.
The strike lasted a weekend, so that the hardship on seasonal part-time workers wouldn’t be too steep. Now, workers say they may go on strike again as negotiations with Aramark executives have stalled.
After months of union organizing, including a strike of their own, Aramark workers at three major sports stadiums in South Philly won a “historic” contract earlier this year that included higher pay and health insurance. Unite Here Local 274 won the contract just before the baseball season began.
Our Take
Workers in every part of the country are grappling with difficult working conditions, ongoing economic uncertainty, and continued attacks from ultra-rich CEOs and the White House. By the day, this struggle only grows. Those in power are laser-focused on making money, no matter how chasing maximum profits negatively impacts workers.
But workers continue to organize for better pay, working conditions, and benefits, and to stave off an AI takeover of their workplace. Union workers remain on the frontlines of these battles with millionaire and billionaire bosses. Starbucks workers remain persistent and strong in their fight for a fair contract. Aramark workers are fighting and winning. And many more are coming together to ensure employers value their labor.
Trying to Win Change in Your Own Workplace?
If you’re seeking change in your workplace, company, or field, you can start your own petition at Coworker to build momentum and win. Your petition can take on any labor issue — from safer working conditions and better pay, to stopping hour cuts and layoffs, and even putting an end to unfair or abusive policies for workers.
With workers uniting across the country to organize, it’s a great moment to launch your own petition. It’s easy to start one, and it’s even easier to share it and start building support. You can get started on your Coworker petition here.