BUFFALO: Starbucks was accused of unfair labour practises, including retribution against pro-union employees, in a wide lawsuit filed by federal labour officials on Friday in Buffalo, New York.
In a filing seeking reinstatement and backpay for the employees, the National Labor Relations Board’s Buffalo regional director detailed a slew of labour law breaches.
Starbucks employees have been organising globally, with the first union voting taking place in December at three outlets in Buffalo.
The charges were termed “false” by the coffee chain, which promised to fight them in court.
“Starbucks does not agree that the claims have merit, and the complaint’s issuance does not constitute a finding by the NLRB,” spokesman Reggie Borges wrote in an email. “It is the beginning of a litigation process that permits both sides to be heard and to present evidence.”
Starbucks Workers United, the group behind the unionization effort, said the complaint “confirms the extent and depravity of Starbucks’ conduct in Western New York for the better part of a year.”
“Starbucks is finally being held accountable for the union-busting rampage they went on,” Danny Rojas, a fired shift supervisor, said in a statement. “Starbucks needs to understand that it is morally corrupt to retaliate against union leaders, and I am looking forward to the NLRB forcing Starbucks to make this moment right.”
Last month, federal labour officials petitioned a judge to order Starbucks to reinstate three union activists at one of its Phoenix locations, claiming the coffee giant had participated in unfair labour practises.
According to labour activists, workers at over 250 U.S. outlets have submitted petitions with the labour board to hold union elections as of this week. Workers United, a section of the Service Employees International Union, has voted to unionise at least 50 of those locations.
Starbucks said Tuesday that its fiscal second-quarter sales hit new highs, but the business also said it faced higher labour costs, which are expected to rise much more in the coming months as the firm implements new pay rises and other benefits.
Workers who have voted to unionise or stores that have petitioned for a union election, on the other hand, will not be eligible for the higher pay and benefits.
Starbucks Workers United claimed it filed accusations against Starbucks with the labour board on Tuesday. The association claims the firm is breaking the law by threatening to deny the increased perks to unionised locations.
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