Starbucks illegally threatened, sacked employees: US labour board rules

The dispute involves workplace activism in 2019, before the launch of the current Starbucks Workers United campaign which has reached hundreds of the company's US cafes

Starbucks illegally threatened, interrogated, and terminated pro-union employees in Philadelphia, the US labour board ruled.

In a Monday decision, a panel of three Democratic members of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) ordered Starbucks to “cease and desist” from prohibiting staff from raising workplace complaints, placing them under surveillance when engaged in collective action, and discriminating against baristas for supporting labor groups. The decision also ordered the company to offer reinstatement with backpay to two terminated activists.

In an emailed statement, Starbucks said, “We disagree with the decision and are considering all options to obtain a full legal review of the matter.”