The staff at numerous U.S. Starbucks shops went on strike on Sunday to protest the baristas' union's allegations that managers at some American cafes removed rainbow flags and other decorations honoring LGBTQ+ Pride Month.
On Sunday afternoon, June 25, a small group of Starbucks employees demonstrated in front of the Astor Place branch in downtown Manhattan close to the Pride parade route, yelling, "New York is a union town! On strike! Shut it down!," as reported by Reuters.
While some customers chose not to enter to support the strike, union members distributed pamphlets and spoke with onlookers about the action.
Some baristas and other employees at the coffee business claimed they were incensed by the issue when Pride marches were taking place in Seattle, the home of Starbucks, as well as New York City, San Francisco, Chicago, and Chicago.
What Starbucks Has to Say
According to a spokesperson, they support the LGBTQIA2+ community. They only said that it is inaccurate to report that Starbucks stores are banning any decorations as there has been no change to company policy.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JUNE 24: People picket in front of a Starbucks store in the Greektown neighborhood on June 24, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. The event, organized by the Starbucks union, was one of many pickets held nationwide after the coffee giant and the union clashed over claims that the company was not allowing Pride month decorations in Starbucks coffee shops.
They also said that they are concerned about spreading false information about our inclusive store environments.
Though the conflict is now receiving media attention, it started brewing a year ago, according to the Workers United union, when the company allegedly threatened union organizers, many of whom identified as queer or trans, with reduced hours if they didn't quit their jobs. This would prevent them from being eligible for health insurance, which would have covered gender reassignment surgery and other affirming procedures.
Read also: Starbucks Union Alleges Pride Decorations Banned at Some Outlets
Starbucks Refutes the Claims
Starbucks has refuted that it altered the coverage, labeling them "false claims" in a letter dated June 14 to Lynne Fox, the president of Workers United International.
Since 2012, gender confirmation surgery has been covered by the company's health insurance. In 2018, it also started covering procedures that other insurance plans would classify as "cosmetic," such as breast augmentation, hair transplants, and feminization of the face.
In the letter, the coffee chain referred to the union's claim as "blatant fear mongering" and disputed that it had prohibited Pride decorations.
Starbucks has worked hard to earn a reputation as a progressive business that values its employees and clients who identify as LGBTQ+. It started providing elusive benefits, including health insurance for same-sex domestic partners, in 1988. Later, it joined the American legal system. The Supreme Court supports marriage equality.
With some of the more than 300 company-owned unionized Starbucks stores in the U.S., negotiations have been ongoing since late 2022.
Stronger anti-discrimination provisions have been requested by pro-union baristas from Starbucks, among other things. No newly unionized U.S. cafe has yet agreed with the business for a labor contract.
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