Starbucks Broke Labor Law with Raises for Non-Union Workers, Judge Rules

Starbucks violated labor law by only giving raises and benefits to non-union employees, an NLRB judge ruled. This was part of Starbucks' efforts to stop unionization.
The first Starbucks unionized in 2021, starting a wave of hundreds of locations voting to unionize. Starbucks has fought the efforts.
When announcing raises for non-union workers, Starbucks said it couldn't also raise pay for unionized workers. The judge said this reasoning was unconvincing.
In March, Senators questioned Starbucks' chairman about labor practices. Shareholders also wanted a review of Starbucks' commitment to workers.
So far, nearly 360 Starbucks locations have unionized out of over 9,000 US stores. Union organizers saw the ruling as a major victory.

cnn.com

Relevant topic timeline:

8/21/2023

Starbucks told to pay $2.7 million in lost wages to manager fired after arrest of 2 Black men

Main Topic: Starbucks ordered to pay additional damages to former regional manager in racial discrimination case Key Points: 1. A judge has ordered Starbucks to pay $2.7 million in lost wages and tax damages to a former regional manager. 2. The manager had previously been awarded $25 million after alleging racial discrimination following the arrests of two Black men at a Starbucks store. 3. Starbucks is seeking a new trial, while the manager's lawyers are also seeking $1.4 million in legal fees.

8/27/2023

Starbucks workers at Michigan Avenue roastery reject union membership

Employees at the Chicago Reserve Roastery, the largest Starbucks in the world, have rejected union membership in a setback for Workers United, which has been trying to organize Starbucks workers across the country.

8/28/2023

Will Starbucks’ union-busting stifle a union rebirth in the US?

Starbucks' aggressive union-busting campaign has hindered the momentum of the successful union drive among its workers and exposed flaws in US labor law, threatening other unionization efforts.

9/18/2023

Starbucks Sued for Allegedly Misleading Fruit Drink Names Despite Lack of Actual Fruit

Starbucks has been ordered by a federal judge to face a lawsuit claiming that its fruit beverages, including Mango Dragonfruit and Strawberry Açai Refreshers, lacked the key ingredient of fruit, as consumers complained that the misleading names caused them to be overcharged, violating consumer protection laws.

10/18/2023

Starbucks Sues Union Over Controversial Pro-Palestine Tweet

Starbucks is suing the union Starbucks Workers United for improper use of the company's intellectual property after the union's pro-Palestine post, which resulted in public backlash and confusion.

10/18/2023

Starbucks and Union Sue Each Other Over Deleted Pro-Palestinian Post

Starbucks and the union organizing its workers are engaged in a legal battle over trademark infringement and defamation after a pro-Palestinian social media post during the Israel-Hamas war angered customers and damaged Starbucks' reputation.

10/19/2023

Starbucks and Union Clash Over Controversial Tweet About Israel-Palestine Conflict

Starbucks and the union organizing its workers are engaged in a legal battle after a social media post about the Israel-Hamas war led to a lawsuit, with Starbucks claiming trademark infringement and Workers United asserting defamation.

10/19/2023

Starbucks and Union Escalate Legal Battle Over Controversial Tweet

Starbucks and the baristas' union, Starbucks Workers United (SWU), have filed opposing lawsuits after SWU posted a pro-Palestinian message on social media, leading to calls for a boycott against the coffee chain and accusations of trademark infringement.

Topics

Posted 9/29/2023, 8:41:00 PM

Starbucks Broke Labor Law with Raises for Non-Union Workers, Judge Rules

Starbucks violated labor law by only giving raises and benefits to non-union employees, an NLRB judge ruled. This was part of Starbucks' efforts to stop unionization.
The first Starbucks unionized in 2021, starting a wave of hundreds of locations voting to unionize. Starbucks has fought the efforts.
When announcing raises for non-union workers, Starbucks said it couldn't also raise pay for unionized workers. The judge said this reasoning was unconvincing.
In March, Senators questioned Starbucks' chairman about labor practices. Shareholders also wanted a review of Starbucks' commitment to workers.
So far, nearly 360 Starbucks locations have unionized out of over 9,000 US stores. Union organizers saw the ruling as a major victory.

cnn.com

Relevant topic timeline:

8/21/2023

Starbucks told to pay $2.7 million in lost wages to manager fired after arrest of 2 Black men

8/27/2023

Starbucks workers at Michigan Avenue roastery reject union membership

8/28/2023

Will Starbucks’ union-busting stifle a union rebirth in the US?

Starbucks' aggressive union-busting campaign has hindered the momentum of the successful union drive among its workers and exposed flaws in US labor law, threatening other unionization efforts.

9/18/2023

Starbucks Sued for Allegedly Misleading Fruit Drink Names Despite Lack of Actual Fruit

10/18/2023

Starbucks Sues Union Over Controversial Pro-Palestine Tweet

Starbucks is suing the union Starbucks Workers United for improper use of the company's intellectual property after the union's pro-Palestine post, which resulted in public backlash and confusion.

10/18/2023

Starbucks and Union Sue Each Other Over Deleted Pro-Palestinian Post

10/19/2023

Starbucks and Union Clash Over Controversial Tweet About Israel-Palestine Conflict

10/19/2023

Starbucks and Union Escalate Legal Battle Over Controversial Tweet