OKLAHOMA CITY — Workers at the Starbucks store near N.W. 23rd Street and Broadway Avenue walked off the job Monday, participating in what they described as a nationwide strike to protest new dress code policies and what they believe are violations of federal labor law.
“This is a protection action by us walking out,” said Kat Hudgins, a barista at the store. “We announced…we made this plan to walk out as a union store, and since then, they have provided workers from other stores who have scabbed and crossed the picket line.”
Union members on the picket line said they are protesting what they call “unilateral changes” to store policy—specifically, a more restrictive dress code imposed without completing contract negotiations.
“They can’t make unilateral changes at union stores without first bargaining with the union,” said Neha Cremin, another striking worker. “That’s part of federal labor law.”
Workers said the new dress code, which they claim limits attire to black shirts and fewer facial piercings, was rolled out despite a prior ruling from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) involving the store. That ruling, according to picketers, required Starbucks to refrain from changing the dress code without bargaining.
Jacob Bone, another worker on the picket line, said, “They think that the National Labor Relations Act that governs all collective bargaining, all our rights at work, is a dead letter… If they can do this, then they can take our wages back 10 years.”
Bone also criticized what he said was an attempt to restrict workers from wearing masks and gloves—particularly concerning in a food service environment. “They’re trying to ban masks and they’re trying to ban gloves because people with artificial nails wear gloves to cover them.”
When asked about enforcement of the new policy, Bone said some workers were already sent home for not complying, even though he says the shirts promised by the company to meet the new code have not yet been provided.
Company responds
Phil Gee, a spokesperson for Starbucks, responded to Oklahoma City Free Press questions in a phone call later that day about the local labor action.
Gee confirmed the company had implemented a new dress code that day but maintained that it is consistent with longstanding policy. “The previous dress code allowed for one facial piercing, and the new dress code also allows for one facial piercing,” Gee said.
He also stated that masks and gloves are not addressed in the dress code policy.
On the broader issue, he said, “Our collective bargaining process is still ongoing, and at this point, following the dress code is expected of all partners. We remain committed to good-faith bargaining with the union.”
In response to allegations that employees were sent home under the new dress code, Gee said the company’s official statement would address those concerns but did not provide details during the interview.
Later, Gee sent a company statement that did not directly address the dress code punishments.
Gee also said Starbucks is providing two free shirts per employee under the new policy, but acknowledged the company would need to follow up with more information about availability.
‘Solidarity’
As of publication, the store at 23rd and Broadway remained open and operational, with employees from other stores filling in, according to striking workers.
Hudgins noted that while some customers expressed frustration, “a lot of them are very supportive of us and understand and have said we’re going somewhere else today.”
The strike is part of a larger wave of coordinated union actions across the country and is expected to continue at other metro Starbucks locations later in the week. Workers emphasized that their strike is sanctioned by the union and lawful under federal protections.
“We have to stand in solidarity and take direct action,” Bone said. “That’s the only avenue that’s left to us.”
Founder, publisher, and editor of Oklahoma City Free Press. Brett continues to contribute reports and photography to this site as he runs the business.
