Wantagh Starbucks Workers Strike In Support Of LGBTQ Community

WANTAGH, NY — Starbucks workers held a one-day "Strike with Pride." Many striking workers took part in the New York City Pride parade on Sunday.

"I was very happy with the support we gave each other," Sam Tamborello, a union organizer at the Wantagh location, told Patch.

Tamborello, who has been employed at the Wantagh Avenue store for two years, said the vote to strike on Sunday was overwhelmingly positive.

"Only one person voted against it," she said. That individual wasn't scheduled to work.

The Wantagh location closed, likely anticipating the strike, as Tamborello said her manager and a district manager emailed the night before that they would be on vacation.

Part of the reason for hitting the picket line: Some Starbucks have not been allowed to decorate for Pride month, including the Levittown store, Tamborello said.

Patch reached out to Starbucks for comment.

At her store, Tamborello said her manager instructed another worker, who was putting up rainbows, to "tone it down."

Tamborello said it's the latest battle between baristas and the board room.

"Should people be thankful that they have the ability to work?" she said. "We make the store so much money and we really don't make enough to take care of ourselves."