Hundreds of Starbucks workers have walked off the job at over 100 U.S. stores this week in a strike that's protesting a new dress code that went into effect this week.

The big picture: Axios' Kelly Tyko notes the Seattle-based coffee giant is trying to revitalize the brand amid sluggish sales by returning to its roots with a new design Starbucks says provides "simplified color options that allow our iconic green apron to shine." But the change sparked outrage with the baristas union.

• Starbucks and the union, Starbucks Workers United, still haven't reached an agreement on a contract despite beginning negotiations in February last year — something the union pointed to in a Bluesky post on the strike that began Sunday.
• "We're not just angry over a shirt color," said the Wednesday post. "Starbucks is a MASSIVE company without focus. They refuse to staff our stores properly, give guaranteed hours to workers, pay us a living wage, or provide stipends to pay for this arbitrary dress code. We need fair union contracts NOW."