Starbucks baristas strike over new company dress code

Published: Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 8:08 pm

Starbucks Baristas Strike Over New Dress Code, Union Says

Starbucks is facing a wave of strikes as baristas protest a new, stricter dress code implemented this week. According to Starbucks Workers United, the union representing the coffee giant's employees, over 1,000 baristas at 75 U.S. stores have walked off the job since Sunday.

The core of the dispute centers on a new dress code that mandates employees wear solid black shirts and khaki, black, or blue denim bottoms. Previously, baristas had more flexibility with darker colors and patterned shirts. Starbucks claims the change aims to make its iconic green aprons stand out and create a more welcoming atmosphere for customers.

However, the union argues the dress code should be subject to collective bargaining. Paige Summers, a Starbucks shift supervisor, criticized the company for focusing on the wrong priorities, stating that customers are more concerned with wait times than the color of employees' shirts. The union also pointed out that Starbucks sells branded clothing that employees can no longer wear to work.

Starbucks, in response, stated the strike's impact is limited, with less than 1% of its U.S. workforce participating. The company also noted that over 99% of its stores remain open. Starbucks has offered each employee two free black T-shirts to comply with the new dress code.

This latest clash comes amid ongoing contract negotiations between Starbucks and the union, which has been organizing U.S. stores since 2021. Despite agreeing to return to the bargaining table in February 2024, a contract agreement has yet to be reached. The union has also filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging Starbucks' failure to bargain over the new dress code.

Keywords: Starbucks strike, Starbucks dress code, Starbucks Workers United, barista strike, union, dress code protest, black shirts, khaki pants, labor dispute, contract negotiations, National Labor Relations Board, coffee shop, Starbucks employees, Starbucks stores, strike, unionization

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