Documentary captures Starbucks workers' unionization fight
A new documentary follows the union organizing campaign at Starbucks stores in Buffalo, New York, which began in 2021. The film includes interviews with workers and depicts the response from Starbucks leadership, including former CEO Howard Schultz. Director Mark Mori, a former steelworker, sees the campaign as part of a broader labor movement resurgence.
Mori’s documentary draws on his own history as a United Steelworkers member, framing the Buffalo Starbucks campaign as a generational echo of industrial decline. The film features narration by Susan Sarandon and production support from Alec Baldwin, and it premiered at a November 2025 event tied to the “Baristas vs Billionaires” theme. Workers interviewed describe Schultz’s personal intervention in Buffalo, while Mori compares their activism to 1960s anti-war movements. The film’s release is currently limited to scheduled screenings, not wide distribution.
The campaign began in 2021, during pandemic-era frontline service work, and has since grown into one of the largest union drives in modern U.S. history—matched by what the article calls aggressive union-busting. Mori sees the effort as a “revenge of the Rust belt,” noting many baristas are descendants of steelworkers who lost pensions and homes. He emphasizes their bravery and articulation, positioning the fight as a response to a widening wealth gap.
This story could reshape public perception of service-sector labor, particularly among younger workers facing stagnant wages and debt. By linking a coffee chain campaign to broader Rust belt decline, it may normalize unionization as a tool for economic security beyond traditional manufacturing. The film’s celebrity backing could amplify its reach, potentially influencing consumer attitudes toward Starbucks and inspiring similar organizing in retail or food service. However, its impact depends on distribution and whether viewers see the struggle as isolated or systemic.