NLRB Moves to Force Starbucks to Reopen Shuttered Unionized Store in Portland

On Wednesday, December 14, the National Labor Relations Board accused Starbucks of illegally closing 23 stores, including a unionized store on Middle Street in Portland, to suppress union organizing. The federal labor panel is seeking to force the company to reopen the 23 stores, including the Middle Street location. The NLRB is also asking the judge to order Starbucks to compensate former employees for their loss of earnings, benefits and for other costs they incurred as a result of the closures. According to the New York Times, the case is scheduled to go before a judge next summer unless Starbucks settles with the workers earlier.

“Workers have a fundamental freedom in this country to organize unions and collectively bargain for a better life. Working people are increasingly standing together in solidarity to exercise that right to win a collective voice on the job and better pay and benefits,” said Maine AFL-CIO Executive Director Matt Schlobohm.“Corporations like Starbucks are not above the law even though they act like they are. Starbucks has routinely, systematically and arrogantly broken our labor laws and sought to deny workers’ rights to collectively bargain. We applaud this decision to hold Starbucks accountable and order it to reopen and respect our first amendment freedom of association.”