Starbucks workers say their employer is barring Pride decorations from its stores.
According to Starbucks Workers United (SBWU), the union that represents a rapidly growing number of Starbucks employees, management has removed rainbow flags and other Pride-themed décor.
"In union stores, where Starbucks claims they are unable to make 'unilateral changes' without bargaining, the company took down Pride decorations and flags anyway — ignoring their own anti-union talking point," SBWU said on its Twitter account.
According to the union's Twitter feed, Pride decorations have been removed all over the country in the past two weeks.
At one store in Wisconsin, for example, Starbucks workers were told Pride decorations were allowed, only to have their district manager order that they be taken down for "not being welcoming to everyone."
In one video circulated by the union, a customer who happened to be present at a Starbucks as rainbow flags were being removed by managers returned their coffee, telling the manager, "I only bought [this coffee] to show support for that," and pointing at the flag. "Now I don't want it."
SBWU charged that the missing Pride decorations are part of a larger pattern of neglect of LGBTQ workers.
"Starbucks is powered by many Queer workers," the union wrote, "but management has failed to materially support the LGBTQ+ community. Last October, some workers have reported that their Transgender benefit plan changed, causing them to pay out of pocket fees and lose access to certain providers.
"If Starbucks was a true ally, they would stand up for us, especially during a time when LGBTQ+ people are under attack. A company that cares wouldn't turn their back on the LGBTQ+ community to protect their already astronomically high profits."
Starbucks issued a statement that did not flatly deny the charges but said there has been "no change" to its policies, and that the company "unwaveringly" supports the LGBTQ community.
"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," a Starbucks spokesperson said, adding that the company is "deeply concerned by false information that is being spread especially as it relates to our inclusive store environments, our company culture, and the benefits we offer our partners."
Starbucks said that on June 13 it sent an email to its North American corporate leaders clarifying that there was no ban on Pride decorations. According to SBWU, however, a Minnesota store manager was informed by their district manager on the night of June 13 that no decorations would be permitted.