New York City sues Starbucks for firing union-organizing barista
A New York City agency overseeing workplace affairs said on Friday it sued Starbucks because the coffee chain illegally fired a longtime barista and union organizer shortly after employees in his store voted to join a union.
The department of consumer and worker protection called the case on behalf of Austin Locke, a Starbucks employee for almost six years, the city’s first for violating “just cause” protections under a 2017 law meant to protect fast-food workers.
The action comes as Starbucks appoints a new chief executive and the company, along with Amazon and others, are being accused of slow-walking negotiations over union contracts in an attempt to dam a wave of unionization efforts across the country.
New York’s fair workweek law prohibits fast-food employers from firing or laying off workers, or reducing their hours by more than 15%, without just cause or legitimate economic reasons.
According to a petition filed with the city’s office of administrative trials and hearings, Starbucks fired Locke on 5 July, one month after employees in his store in the Astoria section of the borough of Queens decided to unionize.
The lawsuit seeks Locke’s reinstatement and back pay, as well as civil penalties.
A Starbucks spokeswoman said the Seattle-based company does not discuss pending litigation, but plans to defend against claims it violated the law.
The petition said Starbucks claimed it fired Locke because he failed to complete a questionnaire required by its Covid-19 protocols, and falsely reported that a supervisor made unwanted contact during a dispute by placing his hand on Locke’s chest.
Both incidents took place two days after the unionization vote, the petition said.
In a statement provided by the city, Locke said: “Starbucks
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