Hi FriendJohn,

I’ll be honest with you: 2025 was rough. We saw countless attacks on worker organizing, immigrant workers, and more. Meanwhile, CEO pay is continuing to skyrocket, and the president is openly celebrating his attacks on our democracy.  

So why am I optimistic about a new year?

I’ve worked at Starbucks for the past eleven years. I know firsthand what it looks like when a multimillion-dollar corporation prioritizes CEO and executive pay over workers. I also know firsthand what it looks like when we get fed up with the status quo and start organizing for the workplaces we deserve. 

This year, I watched workers like me decide we weren’t staying silent anymore — not on the job and not in public. In 2025:

• We went on an unfair labor practice strike at hundreds of Starbucks stores, demanding a fair contract and an end to union busting.

• We organized to hold McDonald’s, Dollar General, and Duke University accountable for disrespecting workers.

• We called out Amazon, Elon Musk, and billionaire greed through direct action.

• We exposed ICE and the airlines profiting from deportations — loudly, publicly, and together.

• And we reminded elected officials who forgot who they work for.

2025 had its share of challenging moments, but also many bright spots. That’s why my New Year’s resolution for 2026 is simple: Keep speaking out – online and off. We’re building power in every space we occupy. Will you join me in 2026 by signing the Worker Power Pledge?