Starbucks Workers United said on Tuesday, June 13, that several locations throughout the United States prohibited staff from displaying Pride Month decorations.
Meanwhile, in a statement to CNBC, Starbucks explained it continues to support the LGBTQ+ community and has no plans to alter its standards on retail displays.
"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 stated.
A Starbucks representative told CNBC that general guidelines for outlets to follow regarding decorations might be found in the company's security and safety handbook. Within those parameters, however, managers and staff at individual stores are given some leeway in how they decorate.
Attack on the LGBTQ+ Community
The union's allegation comes at a time when members of the LGBTQ+ community are under increased assault from all sides, including rallies, legislation, and even physical violence.
Republican state lawmakers have introduced bills that would restrict access to healthcare for transgender persons and ban drag shows. According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), nearly 500 anti-LGBTQ+ measures have been proposed in state legislatures so far this year.
Bud Light of Anheuser-Busch InBev, Kohl's, and North Face are just a few of the companies that have shown their support for the LGBTQ+ community, but conservative groups have stirred opposition against them in recent months.
Starbucks has a history of supporting its LGBTQ+ employees, including transgender baristas, which has contributed to the company's long-standing image as a progressive employer.
Before the US legalized homosexual marriage in 2015, its health advantages applied to same-sex unions as well. Employees have previously gotten rainbow pride pins and attire. Since 2013, Starbucks has included gender reassignment surgery in its insurance coverage.
Starbucks vs. Staff
According to CNBC, baristas in at least 22 states have complained to Starbucks Workers United about being instructed by district and shop management that they cannot decorate for Pride month and about store representatives taking down Pride banners.
Pride flags were also banned by Starbucks management in Oklahoma from being displayed in shop windows. Starbucks has a no-blocking-windows policy to guarantee that baristas can see what is happening outside their stores.
The spat over Pride decorations also comes as Starbucks and its baristas continue to argue over whether or not to form a union. There have been unionization votes at more than 300 company-owned shops, but no outlets have signed a collective bargaining agreement with Starbucks as of yet.
The union claims that Starbucks is dragging its feet on discussions, while the firm strongly refutes these claims. In an effort to get the cafe giant to the bargaining table, baristas have been relying on public pressure.
