Judge Bans Starbucks From Firing Union Supporters

Noam Scheiber / The New York Times

A federal judge in Michigan issued a national injunction to prevent Starbucks from firing anyone engaged in union organizing. (photo: Brittany Greeson/NYT)

Judge Bans Starbucks From Firing Union Supporters

Noam Scheiber / The New York Times

20 february 23

A nationwide injunction restrains the company from dismissing labor organizers and could help reinstate ousted workers more quickly.

A federal judge in Michigan issued an injunction on Friday banning Starbucks from firing U.S. workers because they seek to form a union or engage in other collective activities.

The move is the first nationwide judicial mandate related to the labor campaign that has led to the unionization of more than 275 company-owned Starbucks stores in little more than a year. Starbucks said it would appeal the decision.

Experts said the injunction would allow the National Labor Relations Board to come before the judge and seek more rapid reinstatement of workers who it believed had been terminated for union organizing. Normally, the process could take months or even years.