Activists at 25 universities aim to boot Starbucks, allege anti-union practices

Starbucks is facing scrutiny from pro-union activists across 25 U.S. college campuses, according to The Guardian. On Thursday, Feb. 22, student organizers are reportedly calling for universities, including the University of Chicago, Georgetown University, and Rutgers, to cancel contracts with Starbucks shops on campus.

The Guardian reports that union advocates will be holding petition drives in an effort to hold Starbucks accountable for its labor practices and support union organizing efforts at locations across the U.S.

The demands by union leaders come as some unionized workers accuse Starbucks of “union-busting tactics.” Starbucks has denied the accusations, telling The Guardian it remains committed to “our stated aim of reaching ratified contracts for U.S. union-represented stores in 2024.”

According to The Guardian, around 400 Starbucks stores in the U.S. have won unionized elections to join Starbucks Workers United Union since 2021.

The New York Times reports that union leaders are requesting a minimum wage of up to $20 per hour with annual raises and “fair and consistent scheduling.” Workers interviewed by The New York Times said Starbucks executives often tout the benefits the company provides but rarely reach the minimum of 20 hours to qualify for benefits.

Fox Business reports that in June, a federal administrative judge for the National Labor Relations Board found that Starbucks committed “egregious and widespread misconduct in violation of federal labor laws as unionization efforts at stores in New York took place.” According to Fox Business, accusations against Starbucks included spying and threats against those involved in union organizing efforts.

The federal administrative judge ordered Starbucks to cease and desist from actions that violate employees’ rights to organize and to reinstate seven terminated employees, as well as pay financial restitution to 27 other employees.

A Starbucks spokesperson reportedly found the ruling “inappropriate” and said that Starbucks is seeking a legal review of the ruling.

The New York Times also reports that Starbucks faces accusations of shuttering unionized stores, which the company denies, blaming other factors such as crime for the closure of the stores.

In December, according to Reuters, a third-party inquiry found that Starbucks did not use anti-union practices during its contract negotiations with unionized employees.

Starbucks Workers United told Reuters that the report “acknowledges deep problems” with the company’s response to unionization.

The Guardian reports that no store has had its unionization votes ratified by Starbucks to date.