On Friday, a New York City agency filed a lawsuit against Starbucks for illegally terminating a barista and union organizer shortly after the store's employees voted to join a union.
The department of consumer and worker protection filed a lawsuit against Starbucks for violating "just cause" protections against Austin Locke, a Starbucks employee of six years.
New York's fair workweek law prohibits fast-food employers from terminating workers or reducing their hours, without just cause or legitimate economic reasons.
"Starbucks continues to wrongfully fire pro-union workers nationwide in retaliation for union organizing."
- Austin Locke
Starbucks claim that Locke was dismissed for not completing a Covid-19 questionnaire and falsely reported a supervisor for placing his hand on Locke's chest during a dispute.
