A Colorado judge has ordered Starbucks to say it’s sorry for firing a pro-union barista and suggested rehiring her.
The ruling came last week, when Judge Ira Sandron ruled that Starbucks illegally fired Westminster barista Alendra Harris in November 2022 and must deliver her back pay.
The ruling is a blow in a series of bad rulings for Starbucks this year.
In 2022 Ms. Harris was fired for allegedly mishandling the counting of the store’s safe. She appealed her case to the National Labor Relations Board later that year. After a six-month investigation into the firing, the board concluded it was retaliation for trying to unionize. Starbucks fought the ruling in court and lost.
Starbucks denied Ms. Harris’ accusations and disagreed with the judge’s recommendations of Dec. 19.
“The record demonstrates that Harris was separated following progressive discipline for violations of established safety, security and cash-handling policies — not in retaliation for their participation in, or support of, any concerted union activities,” the company said in a statement.
Over the past few years, Starbucks has been in hot water over its anti-union stance. Administrative judges from around the country have ordered the company to reinstate several fired workers this year alone. In March, a labor judge ruled that the company violated workers’ rights “hundreds of times” during one 2021 organizing campaign in Buffalo, New York.
The new year may bring hope for Starbucks Workers United, which represents unionized Starbucks workers. This month, responding to an internal audit of the company’s union policy, Starbucks said it’s open to more contract negotiations in 2024.
