Coffee chain Starbucks faces 34 complaints from Starbucks Workers United citing alleged violations of federal labor law at stores in 16 U.S. states, it said Bloomberg.
The union, which represents 500 of the company’s 10,000 corporate cafes in the United States, accused Starbucks of violating labor laws, including retaliatory actions against employees because of their union activism.
The move comes after 2023 hostilities between the two sides apparently began to wind down.
The complaints were filed by unionized workers with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which will investigate the allegations.
If prosecutors find merit in the claims, they could elevate them to the agency’s judges and potentially reach the federal appeals court.
The filings follow a Dec. 20, 2024, complaint filed by the union alleging unfair bargaining practices by Starbucks and a major strike during the holiday season.
Starbucks refuted the accusations, calling them unfounded.
Starbucks company spokesman Phil Gee said in an emailed statement: “Taking the time to file such claims is a tactic that distracts from the progress we could be making.”
The recent complaints reflect ongoing labor disputes that have plagued Starbucks since 2022.
Despite an agreement in February 2024 to ease tensions and reported progress in negotiations, talks stalled over pay disputes, and the union criticized Starbucks for inadequate pay proposals.
Buffalo Starbucks barista Michelle Eisen, part of Workers United, said in an emailed statement: “We are ready to do whatever it takes to show the company the consequences of not keeping its promises to baristas.”
“Starbucks faces federal union grievances from 34 workers” was created and originally published by Verdict Food Service, a brand owned by GlobalData.
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