Starbucks Workers United has launched an open-ended strike to coincide with today’s Red Cup Day, involving over 1,000 baristas at more than 65 stores in at least 40 U.S. cities, after contract negotiations with Starbucks stalled. The union is seeking better hours, higher wages, and resolution of unfair labor practice charges, warning the action could become the largest and longest strike in the company’s history. Starbucks says the union walked away from talks, asserts it offers industry-leading pay and benefits, and maintains it is ready to resume negotiations, noting that more than 30 tentative agreements have already been reached. Both sides blame each other for the breakdown in bargaining, even as Starbucks prepares to maintain holiday operations across its nearly 18,000 stores.