The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has charged Starbucks, the 10,550 espresso bar chain, with violations of the federal law.
In response to complaints leveled by the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), which has been assiduously working to unionize stores in New York City, the NLRB asserted that the chain has violated federal law by engaging in unfair labor practices. It noted that employees had been fired for pro-union activities, and managers had conducted surveillances of employees.
It is odd that a sophisticated company would run afoul of the National Labor Relations Act. Large companies that are the targets of union-organizing efforts have labor-relations experts to guide them through the intricacies of staying union free without violating local and federal labor laws.
