Thursday saw an escalation of the Starbucks baristas' strike, initiated in protest against the company's newly implemented dress code.

The Starbucks Workers United union announced that over 2,000 baristas at 120 Starbucks locations across the United States initiated a strike on Sunday to protest the company's revised dress code, a move taken by the union that represents the coffee giant's American workforce.

Starbucks has implemented stricter dress code guidelines, effective last Monday, regarding apparel worn by baristas beneath their signature green aprons; the updated policy mandates that employees at company-operated and licensed stores in the US and Canada adhere to a uniform consisting of solid black shirts and khaki, black, or dark blue denim pants.

Under previous regulations, baristas were permitted to wear shirts of various dark hues and patterns; however, Starbucks has stated that the updated policy will enhance the visibility of the green apron, fostering a familiar customer experience and contributing to a warm and inviting atmosphere within their stores.

However, Starbucks Workers United, representing employees at 570 of Starbucks' 10,000 company-operated stores in the United States, has asserted that these dress code regulations are subject to collective bargaining.

Page Summers, a Starbucks shift supervisor in Hanover, Maryland, stated that "Starbucks has lost its way," arguing that the company is focusing on misplaced priorities, such as implementing restrictive new dress codes, rather than listening to the baristas who create the Starbucks experience; she added, "Customers waiting half an hour for a latte don't care about the color of our clothes."

Summers and other employees also critiqued the company's practice of selling Starbucks-branded apparel styles, which employees were subsequently prohibited from wearing to work, via the internal website; in response to the new dress code regulations, Starbucks offered each employee two complimentary black t-shirts.

On Wednesday, the Starbucks Workers United union reported that a coordinated walkout involving approximately 1,000 employees took place across 75 stores in the United States. Starbucks maintained that the disruption caused by the labor action remained limited, considering their operation of 10,000 company-run stores nationwide, while acknowledging that select locations experienced temporary closures, some lasting less than an hour, due to the strike.

In a statement, Starbucks suggested that the union would be more effective if it channeled the energy spent protesting the black shirt dress code towards returning to the bargaining table, adding that over 99% of their stores remain open and operational throughout the week to serve customers.

Reactions among Associated Press readers to the new dress code were divided. While some argued that Starbucks baristas had little grounds for complaint, considering that numerous retailers mandate specific attire for their employees, others suggested Starbucks should prioritize enhancing beverage quality and pricing, as well as focusing on employee well-being, rather than dictating employee dress.

Maddie Merklelow, who manages a Starbucks outlet in Seattle, has voiced her support for the latest policy update, explaining that while the revised dress code has presented some challenges for her team, it ultimately establishes a unified framework that encourages professionalism while still allowing for individual expression.

Since 2021, the Starbucks Workers United has been spearheading unionization efforts across U.S. stores; despite this, a collective bargaining agreement between Starbucks and the union remains elusive, although both parties have agreed to resume negotiations in February 2024.

The union stated it lodged a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board this week, alleging Starbucks refused to engage in collective bargaining regarding the new dress code.