In 2022, then-interim Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz violated federal labour law by telling a barista, who raised concerns about unionisation, to “go work for another company” if they were unhappy at Starbucks. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) ruled this as an unlawful, coercive threat in a decision announced Wednesday. This case highlights Starbucks’ ongoing tensions with organised labour as more of its employees push to unionise.
The incident occurred at a company event in Long Beach, California, where Schultz discouraged discussing union issues, leading to his controversial remark. The NLRB ruling supports an earlier administrative law judge’s decision in October 2023. Starbucks has expressed disagreement with the decision, stating their commitment to respecting workers’ rights to organise.
Although Schultz retired from his role as CEO in March 2023 and later from the board, he remains a key figure in the company. Starbucks has been entangled in numerous legal disputes over its alleged anti-union practices.
Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/03/business/howard-schultz-starbucks-labor-law
