Baristas are up in arms over the updated Starbucks dress code, and some have even walked off the job.
The union is calling it a violation of labor law. Starbucks says it’s just trying to make the place look a little more put-together.
Starbucks employees are now threatening to take “escalating action” and claim the new Starbucks dress code is illegal pic.twitter.com/Yys83YLfax
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) May 23, 2025
Starbucks recently rolled out a new dress code that—brace yourself—asks workers to wear simpler outfits that let the company’s signature green apron stand out more.
Nothing wild. No funny hats. No three-piece suits. Just a tidier, more consistent look behind the counter.
Seems pretty reasonable, right?
Not to Starbucks Workers United, the union that now represents baristas at over 360 stores.
They’re claiming this change was made without proper negotiation, which they argue breaks the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).
The law requires employers to sit down and hash out working condition changes with union reps.
Their take: dress code = working conditions = must be negotiated. Case closed.
Technically speaking, they’re not wrong about the law.
A recent National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) ruling (Wendt Corp., 2023) said companies can’t just tweak policies that affect employees without negotiating, even if it seems minor or “consistent with past practices.”
So yes, there’s a legal argument to be made.
But here’s where it gets a little rich…
Since the dress code rollout, more than 2,000 workers at 120 stores have gone on strike.
The union is also warning of “escalating actions,” which could mean more walkouts—maybe right in time for the holiday season.
All of this… over a uniform update?
This isn’t about low wages. It’s not about unsafe working conditions. It’s not about layoffs.
It’s about not being allowed to wear whatever you want behind the espresso machine.
Now don’t get me wrong—workers have every right to organize and push back when something’s unfair.
But this just feels like picking a fight for the sake of picking a fight.
Starbucks is trying to get its brand back on track. They’re not banning personal expression; they’re asking for a little professionalism.
That’s not union-busting. That’s running a business.
Here’s the real story: this isn’t just about dress codes.
Since the first Starbucks union vote in Buffalo in 2021, the union’s been looking for momentum. And they’ve had it—stores in 41 states have joined the movement.
But when you’re trying to keep that energy going, you need fresh battles.
The dress code just happens to be the latest rallying cry.
It’s the same playbook we’ve seen before. Red Cup Day strikes. Protests over Pride Month displays.
There’s a pattern here: find a headline, organize a walkout, and paint corporate as the villain.
That might work for now, but it risks alienating customers and watering down legitimate concerns with petty squabbles.
To be fair, Starbucks isn’t perfect.
There’s been foot-dragging on negotiations, and the company’s not known for playing nice with unions. Talks started back in February of last year and still haven’t led to a deal.
That’s on them.
But at some point, you’ve got to ask: is this really about improving jobs, or just flexing union muscle?
If you’re just trying to grab a latte before work, all this union drama can feel like a buzzkill.
No one wants to cross a picket line for a cup of coffee, but no one wants their local café turning into a political soapbox either.
These kinds of stunts—especially when they start to feel performative—can turn off loyal customers.
Not to mention they risk hurting the very workers they’re trying to help, especially if foot traffic starts to dip and management gets fed up.
Workers deserve a voice. No argument there.
But when every little policy change turns into a battle royale, it’s hard to take the movement seriously.
A uniform isn’t oppression. It’s a uniform.
If the union wants to win hearts and minds, maybe it should focus on fighting for things that actually matter to workers—and to customers.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
