Workers at Starbucks stores to strike over Pride décor dispute

NEW YORK, US - More than 3,000 workers from some 150 Starbucks locations in the United States will go on strike, following claims that the company banned Pride Month décor at some of its cafés, the Starbucks Workers United said on Friday, reported German news agency (dpa).

The union alleges the décor episodes add to a running list of retaliation against workers, including blocking workers' access to improved pay and benefits, firing union supporters and shutting stores during labour campaigns.

The union said that the strike would start at the company's flagship location in Seattle over the next week.

While the company denies the allegations and claims that it has not issued such bans, and has accused the union of using misinformation as a tactic in part of ongoing contract negotiations.

Starbucks, which owns about 9,300 locations in the US, said that managers have been given the right to decorate stores as they wish for Pride and other heritage months, as long as those decorations adhere to safety guidelines.

The company further said it is not aware of any company-owned stores that have banned Pride decorations, pointing out that many stores have shared their Pride decorations on social media. - BERNAMA-dpa