How a new look turned into a labor battle at Starbucks

"The workers, backed by the union, filed class-action lawsuits in Illinois and Colorado, and filed complaints with California's Labor and Workforce Development Agency in a push for the agency to penalize the coffee chain. According to the lawsuits, Colorado state law prohibits employers from imposing expenses on workers without the workers' consent. Meanwhile, several plaintiffs say they asked their employer to reimburse them for funds they spent on new clothing, but their requests were denied."

"Starbucks announced the changes to the company uniform earlier this year as part of its "Back to Starbucks" initiative. It said starting in May, workers would be required to wear solid black shirts under their aprons, and khaki, black, or blue denim bottoms. At the time, Starbucks said it would give each employee two free T-shirts. Some employees said the changes lifted morale and allowed for greater freedom of expression on the job."

""By updating our dress code, we can deliver a more consistent coffeehouse experience that will also bring simpler and clearer guidance to our partners, which means they can focus on what matters most, crafting great beverages and fostering connections with customers," the company said in an April 14 statement. However, the union has expressed anger that changes to the dress code are "restrictive" and happened "without input from the baristas it affects.""

Workers filed class-action lawsuits in Illinois and Colorado and complaints in California alleging Starbucks refused to reimburse expenses tied to a new dress code. The lawsuits cite Colorado law that bars employers from imposing costs on workers without consent. Starbucks introduced a "Back to Starbucks" uniform policy requiring solid black shirts and khaki, black, or blue denim bottoms, and provided two free T-shirts per employee. The union calls the changes restrictive and says baristas had no input. Several employees report denied reimbursement requests and argue other workplace issues merit attention.

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