More than 1,200 Starbucks employees have gone on strike to protest a new dress code policy that went into effect this week. The company requires baristas to wear solid black tops as part of an effort to maintain a “more defined color palette.” However, the union argues that this policy is diverting attention away from addressing staffing and pay concerns.
The clash has paused bargaining efforts for a contract that addresses these issues. Starbucks last month announced the dress code, which also requires employees to wear black bottoms or khaki/blue denim. The company claims that more than 90% of stores are operating normally despite the strikes.
However, union representatives say that the situation is causing disruptions and that some staff members have not received their free black T-shirts as promised by Starbucks. They argue that the dress code policy is a distraction from addressing key issues impacting employees, such as understaffing and wage disputes.
The company claims that outrage over the simplified dress code is coming from staff at less than 1% of all stores. However, union representatives say that the situation has created “complete chaos” in some stores, with supervisors sending employees home for not wearing approved attire.
Starbucks argues that it is providing a fair wage and benefits package, averaging more than $30 per hour for hourly partners. The union, however, claims that this is insufficient and that Starbucks needs to prioritize support for its baristas.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2025/05/15/starbucks-dress-code-protest/83633215007