It’s been greater than every week since Starbucks baristas started strolling off the job to protest what they name a “new, regressive dress code” pushed by the espresso big.
The nationwide walkout has grown to greater than 2,000 union baristas throughout 150 shops as of Monday, in response to Staff United, the union representing greater than 11,000 Starbucks employees within the U.S.
Rolling, one-day strikes are ongoing as Starbucks implements an up to date worker costume code. The modifications had been enforced unilaterally with Starbucks failing to cut price with union members over the brand new coverage, the group mentioned.
However baristas need prospects to know this effort is about greater than the colour of their shirts.
“It’s impacting the partners in a really negative way, and I think the customers should know that.”
The union confirmed the worker strike has brought about closures at some places, however didn’t say what number of.
Final week, Starbucks advised the Related Press that “more than 99% of our stores are open today serving customers — and have been all week.”
Right here’s what to know in regards to the nationwide walkout.
Staff United protest Starbucks costume code
“We’re also making a new line of company-branded T-shirts available to partners, who will receive two at no cost – including partner network options,” the espresso big mentioned.
Moreover, staff should put on khaki, black or denim bottoms — or danger being despatched residence.
The modifications drew the ire of union baristas who mentioned the coverage isn’t being utilized equally.
“It’s like a form of discipline,” Leli mentioned. “So we’re getting in trouble because the manager is interpreting the dress code in a way that continuously moves the goalpost.”
On Reddit, one worker mentioned they had been despatched residence over their everlasting dental retainer and advised to not return “until I can get the blue permanent retainer in my mouth removed or get a clear retainer.”
Companions mentioned causes for his or her dismissals ran the gamut from the mistaken coloration pants to non-waterproof footwear and colourful socks.
Leli mentioned sending employees residence solely worsens understaffing — a key difficulty baristas are calling on Starbucks to handle.
“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,” Paige Summers, a shift supervisor from Hanover, Maryland, mentioned in a press release.
“The path to turning Starbucks around begins with a fair contract with union baristas that addresses the staffing, pay, and support we need to do our jobs,’” she mentioned.
Contract negotiations ongoing
Starbucks and Staff United have but to achieve a contract settlement, although negotiations have been occurring since February 2024, Axios reported.
Final week, the union mentioned it filed a grievance with the Nationwide Labor Relations Board, citing what it referred to as Starbucks’ failure to cut price over the brand new worker costume code.
“We’re constantly dealing with all of the changes that keep coming (from Starbucks), and none of them are addressing the core issue,” Leli mentioned. “We just need this contract yesterday.”
Starbucks offered an replace on contract negotiations again in April, saying an “incomplete framework for single-store contracts” offered by the union has successfully hampered efforts to achieve a deal.
“Starbucks remains optimistic that, through productive compromise and respectful dialogue, we can finalize a contract that is fair and equitable,” the corporate mentioned. “A strong and successful Starbucks is in the interest of every partner.”
