SUMMARY
- Starbucks workers across the U.S. are set to strike following a dispute over Pride month decorations in cafes.
- Starbucks Workers United, the union representing the employees, claims over 150 stores and around 3,500 workers have pledged to join the strikes.
- The company and union are also in conflict over allegations of Starbucks delaying contract negotiations.
An anticipated series of strikes across Starbucks stores in the United States commences this Friday in Seattle. The action follows a public disagreement between the coffee powerhouse and the barista's union, Starbucks Workers United. The conflict arose over allegations that the company is prohibiting Pride month decorations in its cafés.
The union has reported that over 150 stores, representing approximately 3,500 employees, have committed to participating in these strikes over the upcoming week. The union further stated that over two dozen additional stores are in the process of voting on strike authorizations. As a result, by the end of the week, nearly 200 stores could be on strike.
The controversy began last week when the union claimed that numerous U.S. stores were denying employees the ability to display Pride month decorations. These accusations led many to believe that a wave of resistance against LGBTQ+ inclusivity had infiltrated even Starbucks, a company known for its liberal stance. In response to these allegations, Starbucks stated that it had not altered its decor policy, emphasizing that it continues to support the LGBTQ+ community unequivocally.
The company's stance on the impending strikes is that Workers United is misleading partners about the company's benefits, policies, and negotiation efforts. The union, on the other hand, has accused Starbucks of altering their policy in at least 22 states. Some strikes in the following days are linked to this claim.
Although the primary issue is Pride month decorations, not all participating stores have encountered problems in this area. Some are also protesting alleged delays by Starbucks in contract negotiations. Despite these differences, the core message from the strikes is the same – they stand against any perceived discrimination and stalling of contract negotiations by Starbucks.
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