A National Labor Relations Board official filed a general complaint accusing Starbucks of violating workers’ rights.
Starbucks, the well-known coffee giant, broke a number of labor regulations by firing six pro-union employees. According to a complaint filed by labor officials on Friday, the company was also accused of punishing and surveilling employees. Furthermore, they also shut down locations and changed work rules while attempting to organize a union.
A regional director for the National Labor Relations Board issued the accusations against the Seattle-based coffee shop. They have found validity in the union Workers United complaints. The union has successfully organized more than 50 Starbucks locations since last year despite an intense counter-campaign by the firm.
The complaint, which was filed on Friday, was extremely broad in scope, alleging a practice of harassment and retribution. The unprecedented complaint also accused Howard Schultz (former CEO of Starbucks) of breaking the agreement last November. Schultz promised “an improvement in benefits” if they did not form unions.
Linda Leslie, the regional director, requested that either Schultz or executive Rossam Williams read a notice to employees outlining their rights. Additionally, they must be present with the board agents who read the employee rights notice. A video should be created so that it might be shared all over Starbucks stores, the regional director added.
The complaint was submitted only after the board investigated the union’s claim and found it believable. Starbucks Workers United, a union campaign, claimed that the complaint revealed Starbucks’ true face as a “progressive company.”
In response, a Starbucks spokesperson describes the lawsuit as “the beginning of a litigation process that allows both sides to be heard,” saying in an email that the organization does not feel the allegations have merit.
He further added, “We believe the allegations contained in the complaint are false, and we look forward to presenting our evidence when the allegations are adjudicated”.
Several of the alleged actions took place in Starbucks locations in Buffalo, where the organizing campaign began in 2021. Since then, the campaign has spread across the country, with more than 200 establishments appealing for union elections.
In the complaint, Leslie claimed Starbucks should have to provide management with training on workers’ rights and provide the union with “equal time” to make its case to workers if the business hosts anti-union meetings. She also stated that the fired employees should be given reinstatement and backpay.
If the board and Starbucks cannot reach an agreement, the case may go to trial, with witnesses from both sides testifying.