- More than 150 Starbucks stores across the US will be on strike over a dispute over Pride Day decorations.
- Starbucks accuses the union of spreading false information and dividing employees.
- The conflict generates debate about inclusion and support for the LGBTQ+ community and would affect the operation of the stores.
Strikes will be held at more than 150 Starbucks stores in the United States in response to a dispute between the coffee giant and the union representing baristas.
The union, known as Starbucks Workers Unitedaffirms that some cafeterias did not allow the placement of decorations related to Pride Day, which generated a dispute that led to announcing a strike.
Pride Month is June, and Pride Day is celebrated on the 28th of this month.
The coffee company says its decorating policy hasn’t changed and that it continues to support the LGBTQ+ community.
However, the union says that in at least 22 states workers were not given the opportunity to put up Pride Month decorations in their respective stores.
Workers United even filed an “unfair labor practice” complaint over an alleged unpublicized change in Starbucks’ policies.
The conflict, for now, affects some 150 cafes, which include almost 3,400 workers. The forceful measures are scheduled to take place next week.
However, the dispute may escalate as 20 more stores will vote this weekend to join the strike, which could bring the total number of stores affected to nearly 200.
Starbucks, the strike and Pride Month
In response to strike threats, Starbucks accuses Workers United of spreading false information about the company’s benefits, policies and bargaining efforts.
The company says the union is trying to “divide” the employees (it calls them “partners”) and divert attention from the bargain.
Although Starbucks ensures that store employees have the freedom to make decoration decisions within the guidelines established in the company’s internal regulations, the union points out, with cases documented by workers on social networks, that they have encountered obstacles.
While not all of the stores that will participate in the walkouts had specific issues related to Pride décor, the conflict has sparked a broader discussion about inclusion and support for the LGBTQ+ community.
Starbucks is silencing our voices by refusing to bargain in good faith. On top of that, they’ve refused to allow workers to decorate for pride at dozens of stores and then straight-up LIED about it.
Sign the petition to help us win a contract we deserve. https://t.co/jZpzbcNq30 pic.twitter.com/EylNiLcUpa
— Starbucks Workers United (@SBWorkersUnited) June 21, 2023
Brands and Pride Month
Other major brands, such as Target and Bud Light, have also faced criticism and backlash from conservative consumers in connection with celebrating Pride Month.
The impact of the conflict will surely have an impact on the operation of the stores, says the CNBC chain, and it is not clear if all the restaurants will be able to remain open during the demonstrations for the month of Pride, which will have their epicenter on June 28.
In addition, the result of this labor tension and its impact on the image of Starbucks remains to be seen.
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