US orders Starbucks to reopen unionized stores in Ithaca

A federal agency has mandated the reopening of two Starbucks locations in Ithaca, NY, which were closed by the company after workers voted to unionize in April 2022. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) found that Starbucks acted unlawfully by shutting down the Ithaca Commons and Meadow Street stores in May 2023 to suppress union activities. The judge's ruling emphasized that the closures were motivated by antiunion sentiments and a refusal to negotiate with the union, Workers United. The NLRB had previously ordered the reopening of another Ithaca store in July 2022, highlighting a pattern of Starbucks' resistance to unionization efforts. The company cited high turnover and low profitability as reasons for the closures, but the NLRB determined that these factors were influenced by economic losses during employee strikes. The ruling allows Starbucks to present new evidence that could argue against the reopening if it proves to be excessively burdensome. Starbucks has publicly stated that it is reviewing the judge's decision and remains focused on training its managers to respect employees' rights to organize. The company has faced multiple legal challenges regarding its labor practices, including accusations of unfair labor practices and delaying negotiations with unionized workers. This situation is part of a broader trend of labor activism across various industries, with Starbucks workers leading the charge in unionization efforts since 2021. The NLRB's actions reflect ongoing tensions between labor rights and corporate practices, as Starbucks continues to navigate its relationship with unionized employees.