Starbucks has been going through changes as many of its cafes’ employees have banded together to form unions, creating friction between the workers and company.
The National Labor Relations Board has asked a court to reinstate seven workers from the Buffalo, New York area who were recently dismissed for being involved in organizing a union.
The workers say that Starbucks managers targeted them for discipline.
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Angel Krampa, one of the released workers, shared that after the company knew about her involvement in the unionization, they staged a series of attacks before they let her go.
Her previous manager told her that the multiple nose piercings and suicide prevention pin were allowed during working hours, but a new one in January took issue with them.
Angel claimed that she received written warnings for refusing to remove the piercings and pin. She also shared about getting a warning for missing work because of her car problems. Although Angel called her manager to inform them she was trying to get a ride, they said she didn’t inform the cafe.
The union organizer is confident that the judge will share her sentiments. She believes Starbuck’s decision was motivated by their advocacy for a labor organization, and Angel has every reason to be hopeful.
“I don’t think that we’re going to lose either of these next two trials,” said Angel.
Angel was referring to the recent filing for her and other workers’ reinstatement as well as an upcoming hearing regarding Starbucks’ alleged unfair labor practices.
After voting to unionize on March 23, Angel and her co-workers were fired from their jobs less than a month later.
Starbucks has denied the allegations.
“As we have said previously, we believe these claims are false and will be prepared to defend our case,” said Starbucks spokesperson Reggie Borges.
Starbucks promised to improve working conditions for employees, but a recent decision has raised concerns. The company will exempt stores with active unionization efforts.
The NLRB alleges that Starbucks sent managers to discourage union activity and close stores with active union drive.
If this recent filing by the NLRB has any effect, Starbucks will no longer be able to anti-unionize their stores. They must recognize and bargain with workers’ unions in every store across America.
Read also: After Nearly Two Decades, Rossann Williams is Set to Leave Starbucks on Tuesday
