Over 1,000 Starbucks baristas from 75 locations across the U.S. have been on strike since Sunday, expressing their discontent with the company’s new dress code, as noted by a union representing the workers.
Starting Monday, Starbucks will enforce a more restricted dress code, requiring employees at U.S. and Canadian stores to wear black shirts alongside khaki, black, or blue denim bottoms.
Previously, baristas had more freedom with darker colors and various patterns. According to Starbucks, the updated rules are meant to accentuate the green apron and foster a sense of familiarity for customers, I think maybe even creating a warmer atmosphere within stores.
However, the Starbucks Workers United union, which represents 570 workers from the company’s 10,000 U.S. owned stores, argues that such a dress code should be subject to collective bargaining.
One member from the union expressed frustration: “Starbucks has truly lost sight of what matters. Instead of listening to the baristas who really shape the experience, they’re focusing on these unnecessary restrictions.” It’s odd, really, how they sell merchandise that employees can’t even wear at work anymore. When the new dress code rolled out, the company mentioned they would provide employees with two free black t-shirts, but it feels a bit insufficient.
On Wednesday, Starbucks reported that the strike’s impact has been limited, given the vast size of their workforce. “Thousands of Starbucks partners are here to serve their communities this week,” the company stated. They suggested the union could achieve more by returning to negotiations for a reasonable contract.
Since 2021, Starbucks Workers United has been working to unite stores in the U.S. They had agreed earlier this year to revisit negotiations in February 2024, but so far, a contract agreement remains elusive.
This week, the union also filed a claim with the National Labor Relations Committee, alleging that Starbucks has not properly negotiated over the new dress code.
