Some 3,500 unionized Starbucks employees began walking out Friday as part of a rolling nationwide strike at 150 restaurants to protest what they say is Starbucks’ policy of removing Pride decorations from its stores.
Starbucks has denied the claims by Starbucks Workers United that the Seattle-based coffee giant banned in-store Pride decorations during Pride Month.
Starbucks Workers United union said earlier this month the company took down Pride Month decorations and flags at several stores, while some workers took to social media to report the same.
A spokesperson for Starbucks told The Post that the strike had so far had “limited affect” on its stores, with fewer than 10 locations impacted.
“Workers United continues to spread false information about our benefits, policies and negotiation efforts — a tactic used to seemingly divide our partners and deflect from their failure to respond to bargaining sessions for more than 200 stores,” a company spokesperson told The Post.
“We apologize to our customers who may experience an inconvenience at these locations and encourage customers to find any of our more than 9,000 stores open nearby using our store locator available online or through the Starbucks mobile app.”
Starbucks Workers United said on Friday in a tweet the company’s Seattle Roastery — located just nine blocks from Starbucks’ first ever store at the Pike Place Market — was leading the nationwide strike.
Last week, the company released a statement which read: “We unwaveringly support the LGBTQIA2+ community.”
“There has been no change to any policy on this matter and we continue to encourage our store leaders to celebrate with their communities including for US Pride Month in June,” the company spokesperson, Andrew Trull, said.
“We’re deeply concerned by false information that is being spread especially as it relates to our inclusive store environments, our company culture and the benefits we offer our partners.”
The company responded to a report that workers at an Oklahoma location were ordered to remove rainbow paraphernalia.
The union claimed that baristas there were told that the decision stemmed from “a safety issue related to the recent attacks on Target.”
Target, the big box retailer, was embroiled in controversy over its Pride merchandise which featured swimwear that was marketed to transgender consumers.
Reports indicated that Target locations in several states received threats stemming from the backlash.
Corporate America has been sensitive to consumer reaction to LGBTQ-related marketing, particularly in the wake of Bud Light’s partnership with transgender social media influencer Dylan Mulvaney.
Starbucks, which runs about 9,000 U.S. company-owned locations, has seen employees at more than 300 stores vote to unionize since late 2021 demanding better pay and benefits.
The company is currently also facing hundreds of complaints, accusing it of illegal labor practices such as firing union supporters and shutting stores during labor campaigns.
With Post Wires