Starbucks workers are walking out over new dress code. How many are protesting and why?

A workers union says that more than 1,200 Starbucks employees have gone on strike to protest a new dress code policy that went into effect this week.

Walk-outs have taken place at roughly 100 stores nationwide, according to Starbucks Workers United, the company’s union group arguing that the new policy is worsening an already prevalent understaffing crisis. The clash has created a standstill between the union and the company and paused bargaining efforts to finalize a contract that addresses staffing and pay concerns.

Starbucks last month announced the dress code, which went into effect May 12. It requires baristas to wear a solid black top as part of an effort to maintain a “more defined color palette.” The company promised to provide staff with two free black T-shirts, which the union is claiming many employees have not yet received.

The company unilaterally enacted the policy without bargaining with Workers United, according to Jasmine Leli, a union bargaining delegate and Starbucks barista based in Buffalo, New York. She argues the dress code distracts the company from addressing key issues impacting staff by instead focusing on something trivial.

“The distraction is Starbucks rolling out all of these new changes when all the customer is concerned about is getting their drinks and going about their merry way. They don’t care what color shirt we have on,” Leli told USA TODAY. “Starbucks hasn’t bargained with us over this dress code change, and we just need them to get back to the table so that we can ratify this contract.”

Meanwhile, Starbucks argues that outrage over a simplified dress code is coming from staff at less than 1 percent of all stores and is the cause of delayed negotiations.

Here’s what to know.

What is Starbucks dress code policy?

Under the new Starbucks’ new dress code, baristas are required to wear a solid black top, whether it’s a crewneck, collared or button-up shirt. Meanwhile their bottoms must be a shade of black, khaki or blue denim.

The new policy is meant to further enhance the coffee giant’s signature green apron, a staple Starbucks look since its debut in 1987.

“We’re evolving our dress code in all stores to focus on simplified color options that allow our iconic green apron to shine and create a sense of familiarity for our customers, no matter which store they visit across North America,” Starbucks said in an April 14 news release.

Starbucks says objection to dress code causes disruption

Starbucks confirmed the overwhelming majority of its over 10,000 locations are operating business as usual despite the strikes.

In a statement the company emphasized that less than 1% of locations participated in Workers United’s “attempts to cause disruption.”

“While the union is focused on a simplified dress code, we’re focused on providing the best job in retail with a wage and benefits package that averages more than $30 per hour for hourly partners. It would be more productive if the union would put the same effort into coming back to the table to finalize a reasonable contract,” Starbucks said.

In late April, Workers United filed an updated unfair labor practice charge against Starbucks with the U.S. National Labor Relations Board. United Workers cited the company’s “failure to bargain over the policy change as baristas demand Starbucks finalize fair contracts for the 580 and growing union-represented stores.”

The union filed another such charge last December alleging bad faith bargaining.

Union says Starbucks is failing to prioritize real support for baristas

Since the dress code went into effect, supervisors have begun sending staff home for not wearing company-approved attire, according to Leli, who called the situation “complete chaos.” She said that two free black T-shirts are not enough to accommodate employees working five shifts a week.

Leli added that some staff members have not received their free shirts due to website errors, with some losing hours for not being able to follow dress code.

“The floors are not properly staffed as it is, and so sending someone home because the manager’s interpretation of the color of jeans that they’re wearing doesn’t fit dress code, that’s the distraction,” she said.

Paige Summers, a Starbucks supervisor from Hanover, Maryland, said that some staff are unable to afford a new wardrobe. She added that some employees also previously bought T-shirts from the company that they are no longer allowed to wear to work.

“Starbucks has lost its way. Instead of listening to baristas who make the Starbucks experience what it is, they are focused on all the wrong things,” Summers said in a statement shared by Workers United. “Customers don’t care what color our clothes are when they’re waiting 30 minutes for a latte.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Starbucks workers are walking out over new dress code. What to know.