More Perfect Union
by Jordan Zakarin
March 14, 2022
Starbucks Workers United has filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board alleging that Starbucks has been cutting workers’ hours nationwide in a deliberate union-busting campaign.
“These hours cuts are in swift response to workplace organizing campaigns at Starbucks stores around the country,” wrote the union, which has organized more than 130 stores across 27 states, in its formal complaint. The complaint asked for an immediate injunction against the ongoing hour reductions.
In a survey of its members, Starbucks Workers United says that workers have lost anywhere between two and 15 hours from their schedules each week. Starbucks requires at least 20 hours worked per week to maintain eligibility for benefits.
The complaint says that the reductions have happened in at least 20 states, including Maryland, Florida, New York, Ohio, Colorado, California, and Texas.
“The reduction of hours has resulted in lost pay; has rendered, or will soon render, employees ineligible for benefits that have hours-worked eligibility requirements, including health care coverage and the Starbucks College Achievement Plan (tuition coverage); and has or will soon result in the constructive discharge of Starbucks employees,” the complaint further asserts.