Starbucks Workers Walk Out: Dress Code Sparks Philadelphia Strike

Starbucks Workers Stage Strike in Philadelphia Over Dress Code Changes Starbucks workers at the 34th and Walnut Street location in Philadelphia walked off the job on May 18th, 2025, in protest of what they describe as illegal and unilateral changes to the company's dress code. The strike highlights broader concerns about understaffing, pay, and safety conditions. Sylvia Baldwin, a Starbucks partner involved in the strike, stated, "The company is emboldened right now by this current political situation to break the law without consequence." The workers' concerns extend beyond the dress code to encompass a demand for fair contracts that address critical issues facing Starbucks employees daily. The strike underscores the ongoing struggle for better working conditions in the service industry and the role of worker unions in advocating for employee rights. The company has yet to issue an official statement regarding the strike.