The union organizing Starbucks workers says a strike timed to Pride month closed 21 stores over the weekend, including the company’s flagship Reserve Roastery in Seattle. Starbucks Workers United says the strike will continue through this week and is expected to close or disrupt operations at more than 150 stores. Workers are protesting reports that some Starbucks stores banned LGBTQ+ Pride displays this year. But Starbucks insists there has been no change of corporate policy around Pride displays or employee benefits. Starbucks extended full health care to same-sex partners in 1988 and added coverage for gender reassignment surgery in 2013.
