Starbucks Broke Law By Firing And Threatening Pro-Union Workers, Labor Board Alleges

According to a complaint filed by labor officials on Friday, Starbucks violated labor law by firing pro-union workers, disciplining and surveilling others, closing stores and changing work policies.

The National Labor Relations Board brought charges against the Seattle-based coffee chain after finding merit in the allegations made by the union Workers United. More than 50 Starbucks stores have been organized by the union since last year.

There was a wide-ranging complaint filed on Friday that alleged a pattern of intimidation and retaliation at several stores in New York.

Starbucks closed stores with the intent to intimidate workers seeking a union, punished workers who supported the organizing effort, deployed managers to surveil union sympathizers, and granted benefits to try to turn workers against the union, according to the complaint.

A Starbucks spokesman didn't offer a comment on the complaint.

The Starbucks Workers United campaign said that the complaint would expose Starbucks as a progressive company.

Starbucks has been saying that there has never been a union busting in Buffalo. The campaign said that the complaint confirms the extent and depravity of Starbucks conduct in Western New York. Starbucks will be held accountable for forcing workers to fight for their right to organize.

In the Buffalo area, most of the alleged actions took place in Starbucks stores. More than 200 stores have petitioned for union elections in the country.

A complaint from the labor board could lead to a settlement in which the employer agrees to change certain policies and possibly restore fired workers. The case could go to trial if a settlement isn't reached.

The campaign accusing Starbucks of retaliating against organizers is part of a larger legal fight. The union argued that Starbucks actions would have a chilling effect on workers who would otherwise assert their rights.

Some of the union's claims have been found to have merit. The Memphis Seven were terminated by Starbucks, and a different regional director filed charges against them.

The labor board's general counsel went to federal court to have three Starbucks workers put back to work. Starbucks was accused of targeting workers for union support by the general counsel.

The full complaint can be found below.