Starbucks is facing internal pushback after implementing a new dress code policy in its New York State locations.
As of Monday, employees are now required to wear a company-issued black shirt underneath the brand’s iconic green apron.
Workers were provided with two shirts, but the policy has sparked frustration, with some baristas reportedly refusing to work in protest.
The move has drawn criticism from Starbucks Workers United—a labor group representing employees at over 550 Starbucks stores—who claim the company is overriding a tentative dress code agreement that was already in negotiation.
While Starbucks has not officially commented on the conflict, the mandate is causing some staffing disruptions, which could lead to longer wait times for customers.
This uniform change is the latest flashpoint in Starbucks’ ongoing tension with unionized employees, adding to broader debates around workplace control and employee autonomy within the fast-growing coffeehouse chain.
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