Some Starbucks drinkers aren’t thrilled that the brand is reneging on requiring their U.S. employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The franchised coffee corporation reversing their vaccination policy for employees was in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s rejective ruling last week, according to ABC 7.
Last week, in a 6-3 vote, the Supreme Court voted against the Biden’s administration’s proposal to “require vaccines or regular COVID testing at companies with more than 100 workers,” according to ABC 7.
Until Starbucks sent a memo to employees on Tuesday (Jan. 18) informing them that they would abide by the court’s ruling, employees had until Feb. 9 to get fully vaccinated. Or be subjected to weekly COVID-19 testing if they didn’t. Although vaccination will no longer be mandatory for Starbucks workers, the coffee brand’s employees still were required to reveal their vaccination status by Jan.10, according to ABC 7.
“The company said Wednesday that 90% have reported and the “vast majority” are fully vaccinated. Starbucks wouldn’t say what percent of workers are not fully vaccinated,” according to ABC 7. Currently there are 228,000 Starbucks employees in America, per ABC 7.
Despite Starbucks doing what is lawfully obligated, many are upset that they are backtracking on their vaccine requirement for their employees. On Twitter there is a an entire hashtag opposing the coffee chain, titled #BoycottStarbucks.
“Starbucks is going back on their word announcing they will NOT require workers to be vaccinated & will NOT require the employees making your food & drinks to have a negative COVID test. They might as well print on their cups “fuck our customers & their health #BoycottStarbucks,” someone tweeted.
Some boycotters are even encouraging coffee drinkers to pivot away from Starbucks and turn towards “mom & pop” coffee shops for additional reasons besides them revoking their employee vaccine policy.
“There are plenty of good reasons to not drink @Starbucks. Their product is overpriced and overrated. There are plenty of Mom & Pop coffee shops. Reversing their earlier policy to require employees to be vaccinated is another good reason to #BoycottStarbucks,” someone tweeted.