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Press Release

For Immediate Release:

 

Starbucks’ Aggressive Union-Busting Exposed in Powerful Film—Oscar-Nominated and Oscar-Winning Creators Call on Public to Take Action

 

Starbucks faces allegations of over 100 labor law violations as award-winning filmmakers bring workers’ stories to the big screen.

 

Baristas vs Billionaires , a bold new documentary exposing the grassroots labor movement led by young Starbucks baristas, is poised to become a cultural flashpoint in the national conversation about labor rights, equity, and generational power shifts. Narrated by Academy Award® winner Susan Sarandon and directed by Oscar-nominated and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Mark Mori (Bettie Page Reveals All ), the film uncovers Starbucks’ illegal union-busting tactics and spotlights the workers fighting back.

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The film’s core creative team—Director and Producer Mark Mori (Single Spark Pictures ), Emmy Award-winning Producer, Shooter, Editor Robert Judson (Image Digital Media ), Producer, Creative Executive Monica Matulich (PRHollywood ), two-time Academy Award® nominee, and Emmy Award winning documentary filmmaker Glenn Silber as Writer and Producer, and Award-winning Writer Brandyn Cross—began developing the project in 2021. Since then, an acclaimed roster of award-winning collaborators have joined, including:

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  • Susan Sarandon (Academy Award® winner, Narrator)

  • Alec Baldwin (Academy Award® nominee, Contributing Producer)

  • Deborah Shaffer (Academy Award® winner, Emmy Award winner, Consulting Producer)

  • Susan Robinson (Academy Award® nominee)

  • Wendy Blackstone (Ten films she has scored have won or been nominated for Original Score)

  • Dennis LA White (Actor, Co-Producer)

  • Pete Rock (Grammy Award® nominee)

  • Leigh Anne Sides (Six Emmy nominations, Senior Editor)

  • Kat Kramer (Actor, former Miss Golden Globe Ambassador, and Founder of "Kat Kramer’s Films That Change the World” and the #SHEroesForChange Initiative)

  • Roberta Bryant (Resource Development Specialist)

  • Yo-Yo (Yolanda Whitaker) – (Rapper, Actress, Grammy Award nominee)

  • Omari Hardwick (Actor, Grammy Award winner)

 

In addition to Wendy Blackstone’s original score, the film includes music from Tom Petty, Pete Rock, Billy Bragg, and Oliver Anthony.

 

“It’s an honor to have Ms. Sarandon lend her voice to this film that marks a historic moment in American labor history,” said Director Mark Mori, a former steelworker and United Steelworkers of America member.

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"Even though the Starbucks Workers' fight for a living wage was so public, I had no idea of the twists and turns and heartbreak connected to their struggle. ”

- Susan Sarandon
 

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A Fight Brewing in Buffalo

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The documentary centers on the baristas at Starbucks’ Elmwood Avenue store in Buffalo, NY—the first to successfully unionize in December 2021—sparking a nationwide movement. Today, over 600 stores in 40 states and 12,000+ employees have joined Starbucks Workers United (SBWU), yet Starbucks has refused to reach a national contract agreement after nearly four years.

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Despite 70% of Americans supporting unions—the highest level since 1965, according to a recent Gallup poll—Starbucks has been cited by the National Labor Relations Board for violating federal labor laws more than 100 times in just 18 months, far more than any other corporation in America. Allegations include firing union supporters, spying on workers, and closing stores during organizing

campaigns.
 

 

Starbucks Corporation Cited While Raking in Billions:

 

More than 700 complaints have been filed with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) accusing Starbucks of unlawful labor practices, such as firing union supporters, spying on workers, and closing stores during labor campaigns (as reported by U.S. News ).

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The NLRB has ruled that Starbucks violated federal labor laws 100 times in the past 18 months—more than any other U.S. corporation (Bernie Sanders, 3/23/23 Senate Hearing with Howard Schultz).

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Starbucks’ market value was approximately $100 billion as of 2021 (Wikipedia). “I think audiences will connect with the film’s themes about the right to unionize, the right to earn a living wage, and workers’ requests for basic benefits that all working Americans deserve,” said Brandyn Cross.

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“I’ve seen the struggles of these baristas up close,” Mori added. “Their fight reflects bigger issues—wealth inequality, corporate overreach, and the disappearance of America’s middle class. The time to tell this story is now.”
 

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A Call to Action

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With Starbucks Workers United planning a 600-store strike on Starbucks’ Red Cup Day in November 2025, the filmmakers believe the timing couldn’t be more urgent.

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Baristas vs Billionaires was funded through grants and individual donors. Supporters are encouraged to join the movement by visiting

www.baristasvsbillionaires.com to sign up for updates and share the message on social media.

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