A Starbucks union leader in Raleigh claims she was fired ahead of a union election this weekend.
Starbucks district manager Ed Harvey fired union leader Sharon Gilman Saturday after an incident when she was hit by a sink at work, according to a press release from SBWorkers United.
“I believe I was unfairly terminated for my activity in the union,” Gilman said in the press release. “I think I’m being used as an example to discourage my peers from voting yes.”
A Starbucks spokesman told WRAL News that Gilman’s split had nothing to do with unionization efforts. The spokesman said Gilman was fired after completing an internal investigation for violating workplace safety procedures and policies.
Gilman worked at Wake Forest and Six Forks Starbucks in Raleigh.
On February 13, Gilman was working on the three-compartment sink in the store’s back room when it fell off a wall, nearly injuring her. The SBWorkers United publication alleges that Starbucks fired Gilman for “misuse of company property.” The publication also claims that Starbucks claims Gilman intentionally pulled the sink off the wall.
“I heard her scream as it happened and I could see how scared she was when the sink collapsed on her,” Elsa Engelbrecht said in the press release. “She had no reason or means to break it on her own and anyone who worked that night knows that.”
SBWorkers United’s release claims Harvey ignored eyewitness testimony and fired [Gilman] Anyway.”
The press release also alleges that since the return of CEO Howard Schultz, the company has been harassing and retaliating against union leaders and supporters in stores across the country.
“Our ballots are due to be mailed out early this week and the incident that is causing her to be fired happened two months ago,” said Alyssa Watkins, another union leader at the Raleigh store. “It is very clear that this is an attempt to stop our unionization.”
On Monday, SBWorkers United plans to protest outside the Wake Forest and Six Forks store from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The group wants Gilman reinstated. It is also scheduled to file a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board on Monday.