Starbucks Workers United reports that over 2,000 Starbucks baristas at 120 stores across the US are striking from Sunday, protesting against the new dress code.

Starting Monday, Starbucks has updated its dress code, adding new rules for what employees can wear under their green aprons. Now, staff at company-owned and licensed stores in the US and Canada must wear plain black shirts and khaki, black, or blue denim trousers.

The old dress code allowed baristas to wear a wider range of dark colors and patterned shirts. Starbucks says the new rules, which make the green apron stand out more, will help customers feel more connected and create a warmer, more welcoming atmosphere in their stores.

However, Starbucks Workers United, a union representing employees at 570 of Starbucks' 10,000 company-owned stores in the US, argues that this dress code should be discussed between the company and its workers.

Paige Summers, a Starbucks shift supervisor from Hanover, Maryland, stated that Starbucks has lost its way, focusing on inappropriate issues like strict new dress codes instead of listening to baristas, who are key to the Starbucks experience. She added that customers waiting thirty minutes for a latte are unlikely to care about the colour of their server's clothes.

Summers and others also criticized Starbucks for selling branded clothing on its internal website, items that employees are now banned from wearing at work. Starbucks stated that they would give each employee two free black T-shirts when the new dress code was announced.

On Wednesday, the Starbucks Workers Union announced that 1,000 employees at 75 stores across the US had walked out in protest. Starbucks stated that the strike's impact was limited to a small number of their 10,000 US stores, with some closing for less than an hour.

Starbucks stated that it would be more effective if the labour union focused its efforts on returning to negotiations, instead of protesting the black shirt policy during work hours. The company also noted that over 99% of their stores are open and serving customers this week.

Readers of the Associated Press had different opinions about the dress code. Some argued it wasn't a big problem, as many shops ask staff to wear certain things. Others felt Starbucks should focus on better drinks, prices, and happier employees, not what they wear.

Maddie McClow, who manages Starbucks stores in Seattle, has said that she supports the new rules.

Macklowe said that, honestly, the dress code was a tough change for his store partners, but it creates consistent standards where everyone can best support each other while expressing their individuality.

Starbucks Workers United has been organizing in American stores since 2021, and despite agreeing to resume negotiations in February 2024, Starbucks and the union have not yet reached a contract agreement.

This week, the union stated they have filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging that Starbucks refused to negotiate the new dress code.