Starbucks (SBUX) faces union-killing tactical accusations after two Phoenix employees claim to have been punished for participating in union support.
Coffee chain workers at the Arizona store claim that the store manager is responsible for “obstructing, detaining and forcing employees in an attempt to discourage employee unity.”
“”[This is] “The first step in holding Starbucks accountable for union-killing tactics and retaliation tactics for Starbucks workers,” North Phoenix store shift supervisor Bill Whitmia told Yahoo Finance in a telephone interview. “It’s sad that this had to happen. We work at Starbucks. We love Starbucks. We all love Starbucks. So we stay at the company. And the company It’s sad that I don’t live with that value. “
Starbucks categorically denied the claim.
“Partners’ interest in the union does not exempt them from the standards we have always held. A Starbucks spokeswoman told Yahoo Finance in a telephone interview.” And NLRB to resolve this complaint. The claim of anti-union activity in this case is categorically wrong. “
Starbucks baristas make hot drinks at stores in South Philadelphia. On May 29, 2018, more than 8,000 branches nationwide will close for anti-bias training this afternoon in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. REUTERS / Mark Makela
“It is often very difficult for workers to form a union.”
With more than 156 stores applying for union elections, the union battle at Starbucks is intensifying. With this week’s iconic victory, baristas in early Seattle locations unanimously voted for the union on March 22nd.
The Phoenix labor proceedings are only one of the dozens of pending cases nationwide filed against the company by the union, a member of the Service Employees International Union.
Against this background, seven stores have formed a union since December, so more stores are announcing the unionization campaign, and the organizers are confident that they will win the battle.
The story continues
“The law protects workers’ right to union organization and prohibits employers from forcing workers and exercising their rights from threatening or retaliation.” Professor Kate Andrias told Yahoo Finance. “That said, [the law] Employers also allow them to hold detained audience meetings, which are meetings that employees must attend as a condition of employment that must listen to anti-union campaigns. You can engage in anti-union campaigns. .. “
Andrias added, “It is often very difficult for workers to form a union,” considering everything.
Allegations:’They tried to get her to stop‘
In a formal complaint, the regional director alleges that in January 2022, management fired one worker, Alyssa Sanchez, and suspended another worker, Laila Dalton, for union organization activities. ..
“4 days later [we started organizing]Lyra was pulled into the back room [is] Harassment and bullying, and they tried to get her to stop, “Witmia said.
A listed Seattle coffee giant has suspended Dalton, fired Sanchez, and “discouraged employees from engaging in these or other collaborative activities,” the complaint alleges.
According to Whitmia, Dalton said to me,’They are writing things to me for what I haven’t done. They are writing me for what happened in November. For example, they were nine minutes late for her. “”
Whitmere continued. “Okay. Let’s talk about that. One day I was 15 minutes late because of the COVID booster shot. I couldn’t write it down. Technically, if Lyra was written down 9 minutes late. I should. Get a write [along with] Everyone else in our store who is late. But no one else has … all I’m talking to you is what happened to Lyra. Like Lyra, no one else in our store has been scrutinized. “
If the judge confirms the Labor Relations Commission’s allegations, Starbucks may need to notify employees of their legal rights to form a union at the location of Phoenix and reimburse Sanchez for lost wages. I have.
Aside from complaints, Mr. Whitmere said the environment after opening the union was “very, very, very targeted at union members,” such as “a sudden crackdown on the dress code.”
and Leaked video More Perfect Union, posted on Twitter, wept after Laila Dalton, one of the two employees in question, received a written warning from the store manager.
“One of our pretty candid baristas who have been wearing a union pen quite a bit since he filled out the union card … as I’ve ever seen, the manager was really on him all day long. “Witmia said. Just like standing over his shoulder, watching him make all the drinks, telling him what he’s doing wrong, and issuing some warnings. “
Phoenix’s labor complaints and rising union activity occur in the turmoil at the top of Starbucks. On March 16, CEO Kevin Johnson resigned and announced that former CEO Howard Schultz will take over as interim CEO.
According to the company, Johnson signaled the board a year ago that he may be considering retirement. It is unclear how Schultz will handle the growing efforts to organize in the company’s cafe.
Dani Romero is a Yahoo Finance reporter. Follow her on her Twitter: @daniromerotv
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