Starbucks Workers To Strike Over Pride Month Décor: Report

Starbucks Corp SBUX unionized stores across U.S. are expected to strike in Seattle over Pride month décor.

The move comes after the coffee chain and the union acting on behalf of the baristas had a fall out about not allowing Pride month decorations in the stores, reported CNBC.

Starbucks Workers United said more than 150 stores representing about 3,500 workers have decided to participate in the strikes.

It is expected that the store count taking part in the strikes would swell to 200 at the end of the week.

"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 U.S. Pride month in June," the company said last week.

Starbucks stood the ground, saying it supports the LGBTQ+ community and that store employees can make decoration decisions within the company's guidelines.

However, Workers United has alleged that stores in at least 22 states have not let the workers decorate, the report noted.

In response to the allegation, Starbucks reportedly said, "Workers United continues to spread false information about our benefits, policies and negotiation efforts—a tactic used to seemingly divide our partners and deflect from their failure to respond to bargaining sessions for more than 200 stores." 

The incident has gained traction in the wake of a rise in backlash against LGBTQ+ inclusion.

Target Corp TGT decided to remove some products from its Pride Collection after facing customer backlash.

Price Action: SBUX shares are trading lower by 1.80% at $99.04 in premarket on the last check Friday.