{"id":25234,"date":"2023-02-20T12:33:55","date_gmt":"2023-02-20T20:33:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/?p=25234"},"modified":"2023-02-20T12:33:57","modified_gmt":"2023-02-20T20:33:57","slug":"huge-nationwide-federal-order-bars-starbucks-from-firing-workers-for-union-activity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/2023\/02\/20\/huge-nationwide-federal-order-bars-starbucks-from-firing-workers-for-union-activity\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Huge’: Nationwide Federal Order Bars Starbucks From Firing Workers for Union Activity"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Starbucks<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In St. Anthony, Minnesota, on December 17, 2022, Starbucks workers strike to protest unfair labor practices and union busting going on at the company. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Photo by: Michael Siluk\/UCG\/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Starbucks continues to violate the law in egregious ways, thus requiring a nationwide cease and desist order,” said the general counsel for the National Labor Relations Board.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

JULIA CONLEY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feb 18, 2023 (CommonDreams.org)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A federal judge issued a nationwide order late Friday barring Starbucks from firing union organizers\u2014a ruling that affirmed a long-established law which workers say the coffee chain has violated hundreds of times since unionizing efforts were first launched in Buffalo, New York in 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

U.S. District Judge Mark Goldsmith ruled<\/a> in Michigan that former shift supervisor Hannah Whitbeck must be reinstated in her position, which she was fired from in April 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whitbeck and National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Detroit Regional Director Elizabeth Kerwin argued that the former worker had been fired because of her involvement in union organizing at the store where she worked in Ann Arbor\u2014one of 366 Starbucks stores across the U.S. where employees have organized<\/a> to create bargaining units. Nearly 300 stores have won union elections so far.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starbucks Workers United, the employees’ union, has accused the company of firing more than 200 employees in illegal retaliation for organizing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The company claimed Whitbeck was fired for leaving 20 to 30 minutes early a single time without finding someone to fill in for her, but Kerwin argued that would have been a violation of Starbucks’ own policy of issuing a warning for such an incident. Kerwin also noted that Starbucks was aware Whitbeck was involved in unionization efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jennifer Abruzzo, general counsel for the NLRB, said the nationwide order was significant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The district court’s ruling confirms that Starbucks continues to violate the law in egregious ways, thus requiring a nationwide cease and desist order,” Abruzzo told<\/a>Bloomberg<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The NLRB has issued 75 complaints against Starbucks for unfair labor practices, including intimidating and retaliating against workers who are organizing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Firing workers for organizing is already illegal, of course,” said <\/a>Starbucks Workers United, the employees’ union, of Goldsmith’s order. “But this decision is HUGE for getting speedy justice for those retaliated against.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firing workers for organizing is already illegal, of course. But this decision is HUGE for getting speedy justice for those retaliated against https:\/\/t.co\/Njop6DR4Ao<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/w1FFYCzTKH<\/a><\/p>— Starbucks Workers United (@SBWorkersUnited) February 17, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote>