Over 1,000 Starbucks baristas have gone on strike across 75 US stores to protest a newly implemented dress code, the union representing workers announced on Wednesday.
The walkout, which began on Sunday, comes in response to Starbucks' new restrictions on employee attire, which were enforced starting Monday.
Based on the updated dress codes, baristas will be required to wear a solid black shirt along with khaki, black, or blue denim bottoms underneath their green aprons, DailyNews said.
Previously, workers had more flexibility to wear a wider variety of dark-colored and patterned shirts.
Starbucks explained that the change aims to make the green apron stand out more and create a "warmer, more welcoming" atmosphere for customers.
However, Starbucks Workers United, which represents employees at over 500 of the company's US stores, argues that the dress code should be subject to collective bargaining.
Paige Summers, a shift supervisor from Hanover, Maryland, expressed concern that Starbucks may have lost its direction.
"Instead of listening to baristas who make the Starbucks experience what it is, they are focused on all the wrong things, like implementing a restrictive new dress code."
Starbucks baristas are walking out on STRIKE across the country! A new, regressive dress code is being enforced today without bargaining.
— Starbucks Workers United (@SBWorkersUnited) May 12, 2025
Starbucks should be focusing on staffing our stores & increasing our hours - NOT cracking down on what shade of black workers are wearing.🧵 pic.twitter.com/id9EdOdDDw
Starbucks Walkout Grows, But Company Claims Minimal Impact
Critics also highlighted the irony of Starbucks selling branded clothing on an internal website that employees are now prohibited from wearing at work.
Starbucks has responded by offering two free black T-shirts to each worker, but many employees argue that this is insufficient for their weekly shifts.
Despite the ongoing protests, Starbucks has stated that the strike is having little to no effect on its daily operations.
According to AP, the company claims that less than 1% of its US workers are participating in the strike and that many stores were only closed for brief periods.
"More than 99% of our stores are open today serving customers," a Starbucks spokesperson stated.
The union, however, maintains that the issue is part of a broader struggle between Starbucks and its workers.
Since unionization efforts began in 2021, Starbucks and the union have yet to reach a contract agreement. Although both sides agreed to resume negotiations earlier this year, no deal has been finalized.
This latest protest adds to a growing list of complaints filed by Starbucks Workers United. The union recently filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging that Starbucks failed to negotiate the new dress code changes.
Originally published on vcpost.com
