Starting May 12, Starbucks baristas across the U.S. will have to follow a stricter dress code—one that’s already stirring up controversy among employees.

Under the updated guidelines, employees must wear solid black shirts and khaki, black, or blue denim bottoms. Shirts can be short- or long-sleeved, and either collared or collarless. To help ease the transition, the company is providing two free T-shirts to each barista.

According to Starbucks, the move is about consistency and customer connection. The company says the simplified dress code will make its iconic green apron pop more and create a more familiar, welcoming environment for customers.

“By updating our dress code, we can deliver a more consistent coffeehouse experience that will also bring simpler and clearer guidance to our partners,” Starbucks said in a blog post. “That means they can focus on what matters most: crafting great beverages and fostering connections with customers.”

The change is part of Starbucks’ broader effort to improve the in-store experience after years of shifting customer expectations and operational challenges.

But not all baristas are thrilled. Starbucks Workers United, the union representing employees at over 550 unionized locations, says the company is jumping the gun. The group claims it already negotiated a tentative dress code agreement with Starbucks and is pushing back against any unilateral changes before a final labor agreement is reached.

“Instead of addressing the most pressing issues baristas have been raising for years, Starbucks is prioritizing a limiting dress code that won’t improve the company’s operation,” said Jasmine Leli, a barista and union delegate.
“They’re forcing baristas to pay for new clothes when we’re struggling as it is on Starbucks wages and without guaranteed hours.”

The new rules mark a pivot from the more relaxed approach Starbucks adopted in recent years. Back in 2016, the company broadened its dress code to allow more self-expression, adding gray, navy, dark denim, and brown shirt options—along with tasteful patterns. In 2019, it even permitted employees to wear a single facial piercing, which is still allowed under the new policy.

Now, Starbucks appears to be dialing things back in the name of consistency.

Source: AP News – Starbucks imposes new limits on what baristas can wear under their green aprons

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Thousands of federal employees across the U.S. were left reeling Friday as the Trump administration moved aggressively to shrink the federal workforce, ordering agencies to fire probationary employees who have yet to qualify for civil service protections.

Shockwaves Across the Country

While much of the administration’s focus has been on disrupting bureaucracy in Washington, the layoffs extend far beyond the capital. Workers from Michigan to Florida were blindsided by termination notices, leaving many confused, angry, and uncertain about their future.

Adding to the chaos, some employees received layoff notices despite already accepting buyout agreements—which were supposed to guarantee their salaries until September 30. By Friday evening, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) acknowledged that some employees may have been fired in error, promising that buyout agreements would be honored.

“This has been slash and burn,” said Nicholas Detter, a natural resource specialist in Kansas, who was abruptly fired via email Thursday night. “None of this has been done thoughtfully or carefully.”

Scope of the Firings Remains Unclear

The White House and OPM declined to say how many probationary employees—those typically on the job for less than a year—have been let go so far. However, government records show that as of March 2024, 220,000 workers had less than a year of service.

Agencies were given a deadline of 8 p.m. Tuesday to complete the layoffs, according to a source familiar with the plan who spoke on condition of anonymity.

A Sweeping Effort to Cut the Workforce

The layoffs are part of a broader initiative led by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to downsize federal employment. In an executive order Tuesday, Trump instructed agency leaders to prepare for “large-scale reductions” after a voluntary buyout program attracted only 75,000 participants.

Who’s Being Laid Off?

• Veterans Affairs (VA): More than 1,000 employees, including researchers working on cancer treatment, opioid addiction, prosthetics, and burn pit exposure.
• Education Department: Dozens of special education specialists and student aid officials were dismissed, according to a workers’ union.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Nearly 1,300 probationary employees—one-tenth of the agency’s workforce—are being forced out.
• Department of Agriculture: Secretary Brooke Rollins confirmed that layoffs “will be forthcoming” after welcoming Musk’s team with “open arms.”

“Clearly, it’s a new day,” Rollins said at the White House. “I think the American people spoke on November 5th—they believe government is too big.”

Workers Speak Out

Veteran Fired From VA Medical Center

Andrew Lennox, a 10-year Marine veteran, was part of a supervisor training program at the VA Medical Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. On Thursday evening, he received an unexpected email: he was fired.

“In order to help veterans, you just fired a veteran,” said Lennox, 35, who served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria.

Despite starting his VA career just three months ago, he said he “would love nothing more” than to continue helping veterans.

Foreign Affairs Specialist Laid Off in Middle of a Meeting

David Rice, a disabled Army paratrooper, was working as a foreign affairs specialist at the Department of Energy when he was abruptly fired.

Rice had just logged into a virtual meeting with Japanese representatives on Thursday night when he saw an email notifying him of his termination.

“It’s just been chaos,” said Rice, 50, who had recently bought a home in Melbourne, Florida, after securing his federal job.

Although Rice supports the administration’s goal of improving government efficiency, he strongly objects to what he calls a “random, scattershot approach.”

Fired Despite Signing Buyout Agreements

Some employees, like Nicholas Detter, had already agreed to the administration’s buyout deal, expecting it to shield them from sudden layoffs. Instead, they received immediate termination notices.

Detter, 25, had worked for the Natural Resources Conservation Service at the Department of Agriculture, helping farmers reduce soil erosion and water pollution. Despite receiving “completely positive” performance reviews, he was fired Thursday night.

“You’re just a pawn in a much bigger struggle,” Detter said. “Elon Musk seems to have taken on this personal mission to shrink the government.”

His Kansas office, which already struggled with understaffing, saw two out of four employees laid off.

Unions and Lawmakers Push Back

• The National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) and other labor groups filed a lawsuit Thursday, arguing the terminations are “unlawful.”
• Doreen Greenwald, NTEU president, warned that these cuts “will have a devastating impact on agency missions.” Many agencies are already struggling due to years of frozen or slashed budgets.
• Advocacy group Democracy Forward filed a complaint with the Office of Special Counsel, requesting an investigation into whether the mass firings violated federal personnel policies.

Protests erupted Friday morning outside the Hubert H. Humphrey Building in Washington, with workers fearing this is just the beginning.

“They’re picking us off, one by one,” said a federal contractor who declined to be named. “First, it’s the probationary workers. Then we’re next.”

Murkowski: “This Won’t Fix the Federal Budget”

Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) criticized the indiscriminate cuts, writing on X (formerly Twitter):

“Indiscriminate workforce cuts aren’t efficient and won’t fix the federal budget.”

Murkowski’s office has demanded answers from federal agencies but has received “evasive and inadequate” responses so far.

Will the Layoffs Reduce the Deficit?

Experts say the cuts will have little impact on the national deficit. The federal government spends $270 billion annually on civilian workers, with 60% going to Defense, Homeland Security, and Veterans Affairs.

Even if every federal employee were fired, the U.S. would still run a deficit exceeding $1 trillion.

Additionally, these mass layoffs could hurt economic data—potentially turning job growth negative in upcoming reports. The last time the economy lost jobs was in December 2020, during the pandemic.

“It’s very plausible that job growth could turn negative,” said Martha Gimbel, executive director of the Budget Lab at Yale University.

Impact Beyond the Workers

For those fired, the impact isn’t just personal—it affects the people they serve.

“We were actually out there helping people,” said Rice, the former Department of Energy employee. “This work mattered.”

Source

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A federal judge has temporarily halted President Donald Trump’s plan to offer financial incentives for federal workers to resign, throwing a wrench into the administration’s effort to downsize the government. The ruling came just hours before the application deadline for the controversial program, which was spearheaded by Trump adviser Elon Musk.

Judge Issues Emergency Block on Program

U.S. District Judge George O’Toole Jr. in Boston ruled on Thursday to pause the program’s implementation until he hears legal arguments from both sides in a court hearing scheduled for Monday afternoon.

“The deadline to apply must be extended until the court has had a chance to review the legal concerns,” the judge stated.

Labor unions and Democratic lawmakers argue that the program was not authorized by Congress, raising concerns that participants may not receive their promised payouts.

White House Defends the Plan, Calls Remote Workers “Lazy”

Despite the legal setback, the White House defended the program, claiming it had already drawn 40,000 applicants who had agreed to resign while being paid through September 30.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed criticism of the plan, taking aim at remote federal workers:

“They don’t want to come into the office. If they want to rip off the American people, then they’re welcome to take this buyout,” she said.

Federal Workers React: “It’s Demoralizing”

The program has sparked fear and frustration among government employees. Many see it as an attack on public service.

• A federal worker in Colorado said that insults from the administration have demoralized those providing essential government services.
• Another worker in the Pacific Northwest resigned despite the judge’s decision, saying she could no longer comply with the administration’s elimination of diversity initiatives.

One employee at the Department of Education expressed concern that the deal included a waiver of the right to sue if the government failed to follow through on payments.

Unions and Democrats Warn: “It’s a Scam”

Opponents argue the administration is pressuring employees to leave while hinting that layoffs or firings may follow.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) sent an email Wednesday, warning that federal agencies could soon face restructuring, downsizing, and job cuts.

“The majority of agencies are likely to be downsized through restructurings, realignments, and reductions in force,” the email read.

It also stated that remaining employees would be required to show “loyalty” and meet stricter conduct standards.

Union leaders warn federal workers not to take the offer, arguing they may never be paid.

“It’s a scam, not a buyout,” said Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees.

Trump’s Vision: A Radical Government Overhaul

The program is part of Trump’s broader effort to shrink the federal workforce, an initiative led by Elon Musk, whom Trump appointed to run the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Musk’s team has drawn comparisons between this program and his management style at Twitter, where he gave employees a “fork in the road” ultimatum—stay or leave with a severance package.

Rachel Oglesby, Chief of Staff at the Department of Education, told employees:

“It’s exactly what it looks like. This is just one of the many tools to reform the civil service.”

However, concerns remain about whether Trump has the legal authority to distribute federal funds for these buyouts.

Federal Workers Protest “Forced Resignations”

Opposition to Musk’s restructuring efforts has sparked demonstrations outside federal buildings, including a protest Tuesday at the Office of Personnel Management.

• Dante O’Hara, a government employee, warned: “If people don’t speak up, we’re all going to lose our jobs and be replaced by political loyalists.”
• Dan Smith, a Maryland resident, said: “It’s one thing to downsize the government. It’s another to obliterate it.”
• Mary-Jean Burke, a physical therapist for the Department of Veterans Affairs, fears mass resignations could severely impact veteran healthcare services.

A Plan Too Good to Be True?

Skepticism over the buyout offer grew after a DOGE social media post encouraged employees to take the deal by saying:

“Take the vacation you always wanted, or just watch movies and chill, while receiving your full government pay and benefits.”

For many, the message was a red flag, making them second-guess the legitimacy of the offer.

What’s Next?

With the court hearing set for Monday, the fate of the deferred resignation program remains uncertain. Federal workers face tough decisions as Trump’s administration continues its efforts to shake up the government workforce.

As union leaders and lawmakers warn against the plan, the big question remains: Will the government follow through on its promises—or leave workers empty-handed?

Source

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Costco Wholesale (COST.O) is set to increase wages for most of its hourly U.S. store employees, raising top-tier worker pay beyond $30 per hour, according to a company memo shared with employees this week.

Pay Increase Details

• The wage increase will be implemented gradually over the next three years.
• In the first year, top-of-the-scale employees will see a $1 increase to $30.20 per hour.
• Over the following two years, wages will continue to rise by $1 per year.
• Entry-level employees will also receive a 50-cent increase, bringing their hourly pay to $20.

Union Pressure & Negotiations

The decision follows growing pressure from Costco Teamsters union members, who recently voted in favor of a nationwide strike.

• Earlier this month, 85% of union members voted to authorize the strike ahead of a Jan. 31 contract deadline.
• The Teamsters union represents more than 18,000 Costco workers across the U.S.

Company Statement

Costco remains confident that its wages and benefits will continue to outpace competitors in the retail industry.

“With these changes, we believe our hourly wages and benefits will continue to far outpace others in the retail industry,” CEO Ron Vachris stated in the memo.

This wage adjustment solidifies Costco’s reputation for offering some of the highest pay and benefits in the retail sector.

Source

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