Starbucks must reinstate Memphis employees

• A judge ordered Starbucks to restore seven Tennessee workers who were fired for pro-union activism.
• Starbucks denies revenge.
• In February, Starbucks fired seven Memphis employees.

A judge ordered Starbucks to restore seven Tennessee workers who were fired for pro-union activism.

Labor regulators sued Starbucks over the firings, alleging that restoring the positions would prevent future labour infractions.

Starbucks denies revenge. It will appeal.  Judge Sheryl Lipman found evidence of labour law infractions.  She said reinstatement was “fair and proper” while the legal process took years. In February, Starbucks fired seven Memphis employees.

Starbucks Workers United has accused Starbucks of firing more than 75 pro-union employees around the country in a crackdown to derail their momentum. After reviewing the Memphis firings, the NLRB sued Starbucks in May.

Starbucks fired the employees for breaching corporate regulations, including permitting non-staff in after closure. In one example, staff allowed TV reporters into the cafe for a union interview.

The business indicated it would appeal Judge Lipman’s decision, delaying rehiring. Starbucks disagreed with the judge’s decision.

“These people broke policies and failed to maintain a safe workplace. Union membership doesn’t excuse partners from adopting policies that safeguard partners, customers, and communities.”

Since last year’s union drive, staff at 220 Starbucks outlets around the US have decided to join a union, giving them the opportunity to negotiate salary, benefits, and other work conditions collectively.

Starbucks, which owns roughly 9,000 US locations and licences hundreds more, handles concerns directly with personnel, not a “third party.”

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