Kathrine Frich
Some employees who didn’t comply were reportedly sent home without pay.
Some employees who didn’t comply were reportedly sent home without pay.
Impacted Over 100 Stores
More than 2,000 Starbucks employees across the U.S. took part in walkouts this week to protest a controversial new dress code.
The coordinated action, organized by the Starbucks Workers United union, impacted over 100 stores nationwide.
New Uniform Sparks Outrage
At the heart of the dispute is a revamped dress code that limits employees to plain black t-shirts and jeans in khaki, black, or blue.
Starbucks says the simplified palette is designed to let their “iconic green apron shine,” but baristas say the move is about control, not style.
Walkouts Span One Day, but Anger Runs Deeper
The protests involve one-day strikes, with staff walking off their shifts and returning the following day, depending on scheduling.
The rolling walkouts aim to send a clear message without permanently shutting down stores.
Workers Say Uniform Costs Are Falling on Them
According to the union, the company failed to provide new t-shirts as promised and refused to reimburse workers for footwear, forcing them to pay out-of-pocket just to meet policy requirements.
Some employees who didn’t comply were reportedly sent home without pay.
“If We Don’t Return, It’s Called Abandoning Our Jobs”
In videos circulating on social media, baristas expressed frustration at being penalized for non-compliance.
One said they risk being fined for not returning to work, calling the company’s approach coercive and disrespectful.
“It’s Not Just About Clothes—It’s About Control”
A union organizer featured in a viral video argued the issue goes beyond uniforms.
“They refuse to properly staff our stores, guarantee our hours, pay a living wage, or offer stipends for this arbitrary dress code,” she said.
Demands Go Beyond Dress Code
Workers are also demanding guaranteed scheduling, increased staffing, and stronger company support.
Many say they’re stretched too thin during peak hours and need more than just wardrobe rules, they need systemic change.
Union Files Complaint Over ‘Unfair Labor Practice’
The Starbucks Workers United union has filed a formal complaint, alleging the company imposed the new policy without negotiating, a violation, they say, of collective bargaining obligations.
They’re pushing for fair contracts at all 580 unionized stores.
Seattle HQ Joins in, with Protests Across Key States
The protests reached Starbucks’ corporate heart in Seattle and extended to locations in Wisconsin, Florida, Pennsylvania, and beyond.
The coordinated action is one of the largest labor-led pushbacks since the union’s rise in 2022.