Starbucks faces calls for boycott after reversing vaccine mandate for workers
Starbucks will no longer require its U.S. workers to get the COVID-19 vaccine, leaving some customers steamed.
The coffee giant faced tough criticism and threats of a boycott after it announced plans to end its vaccine-or-test requirement for employees this week, multiple news outlets reported Wednesday, Jan. 19. The policy had been in effect for less than a month.
It wasn’t long before coffee fans took to Twitter to voice their complaints using the social media hashtag #BoycottStarbucks.
“Starbucks is now serving COVID-19 with that delicious hot coffee,” one Twitter user wrote. “No vaccination for employees = COVID-19 for everybody. #BoycottStarbucks.”
The reversal comes on the heels of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that blocked President Joe Biden’s plans to require COVID-19 vaccination for employees at companies with 100 or more workers. Those who refused would be subjected to weekly COVID-19 testing.
Starbucks, which employs 228,000 workers across the U.S., said it will follow the court’s lead.
“We respect the court’s ruling and will comply,” Chief Operating Officer John Culver told employees, according to an internal memo obtained by The Associated Press.
Culver said the company continues to encourage vaccine and booster shots among employees.
The Seattle-based brewer had previously announced that it would require all U.S. workers to be vaccinated by Feb. 9 or submit to regular COVID-19 testing to work. Employees were also required to disclose their vaccination status by Jan. 10.
“I recognize that partners have a wide spectrum of views on vaccinations, much like the rest of the country,” Culver said in a statement at the time. “I also know we all want the best for every Starbucks partner. My responsibility, and that of every leader, is to do whatever we can to help keep you safe and to create the safest work environment possible.”
In a 6-3 split vote, the Supreme Court ruled Jan. 13 that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration did not have the authority to enact the Biden administration’s federal workplace vaccine mandate, McClatchy News reported. The court issued a stay on the issue, temporarily halting efforts to enforce the policy.
In the memo, Starbucks said 90% of employees have disclosed their vaccination status and the “vast majority” are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, AP reported.
This story was originally published January 20, 2022 at 12:10 PM with the headline "Starbucks faces calls for boycott after reversing vaccine mandate for workers."