More than 1,200 Starbucks employees at Starbucks Workers United are on strike to protest the dress code policy that came into effect this week. The company says it’s a drop in buckets.
Starbucks update dress code highlights green apron
Starbucks is rolling out a new dress code for baristas to increase visibility and create a more unified look for the brand’s signature green apron.
No Brands – News Value
The union says more than 1,200 Starbucks employees have taken strikes to protest the new dress code policy that came into effect this week.
According to Starbucks Workers United, walk-outs are being held at around 100 stores nationwide. The company’s union group claims that new policies are exacerbating the already widespread staffing crisis. The clash created a halt between the union and the company, suspending negotiation efforts to finalize staffing and contracts paying concerns.
Last month, Starbucks announced the dress code that came into effect on May 12th. Baristas should wear black tops as part of their efforts to maintain a “clearer color palette.” The company has pledged to provide staff with two free black t-shirts, but the union claims that many employees have not yet received it.
The company unilaterally enacted the policy without negotiating with united workers, according to Jasmine Lelli, a Buffalo, New York-based union negotiation agent and Starbucks barista. She argues that the dress code is distracting the company from dealing with important issues affecting staff.
“The distraction is to unfold all of these new changes when all customers are worried. “Starbucks has not negotiated with us about this dress code change. We need to go back to the table so we can ratify this contract.”
Meanwhile, Starbucks claims that anger over the simplified dress code comes from less than 1% of staff in all stores, causing delays in negotiations.
Here’s what you need to know.
What is Starbucks Dress Code Policy?
Under the new Starbucks dress code, baristas should wear a sturdy black top, even with a crew neck, collared, and button-up shirt. On the other hand, their bottoms should be in a shade of black, khaki or blue denim.
The new policy aims to further strengthen the coffee giant’s signature green apron, which has been the look of the staple food Starbucks since its debut in 1987.
“We’ve focused on simplified color options that evolve the dress code in every store, allowing iconic green aprons to shine and feel familiar with customers no matter which store you visit across North America,” Starbucks said in a news release on April 14th.
Starbucks says objections to the dress code cause confusion
Starbucks has confirmed that the overwhelming majority of over 10,000 locations are open as usual despite the strike.
In a statement, the company emphasized that less than 1% of the locations participated in United’s “attempts to cause confusion.”
“The union focuses on simplified dress codes, but it focuses on providing average wages and benefits packages of $30 per hour and average benefits packages for the best jobs in retail, with hourly partners. It’s more productive when the union returns the same effort to finalise a reasonable contract.
In late April, Workers United filed an updated, unfair labor practice charge against Starbucks with the National Labor Relations Commission. United workers cited “The Baristas has cited “the failure of the fight over policy changes as Starbucks has concluded its fair contract for 580 and expands its members’ stores.”
The union filed another such charge last December, alleging malicious negotiations.
Union says Starbucks doesn’t prioritize real support for barista
According to Leli, since the dress code was enacted, supervisors began sending staff homes because they were not wearing company-approved outfits. She said two free black t-shirts aren’t enough to accommodate employees who work five shifts a week.
Leli added that some staff have not received free shirts due to website errors.
“Because there’s not a proper staffing on the floor, the interpretation of the color of the jeans that the manager wears doesn’t suit the dress code, so I send someone home. That’s a distraction,” she said.
Page Summers, Starbucks supervisor in Hanover, Maryland, said some staff members could not afford a new wardrobe. She added that some employees also previously purchased T-shirts from the company.
“Starbucks has lost their way. Instead of hearing the baristas that let Starbucks experience what it is, they’re focusing on all the wrong things,” Summers said in a statement shared by United workers. “Customers don’t care what colour our clothes are when they wait for a latte for 30 minutes.”
