Starbucks settles NLRB complaint of fired barista

[Omaha Steve]

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hJ8A77kSzJMMBjwifVpLtoBT6gpAD93HU44O0

By LAUREN SHEPHERD – 20 hours ago

NEW YORK (AP) — Starbucks Corp. has settled a National Labor Relations Board complaint with an employee who said he was fired this summer for promoting union activity.

The agreement marks the gourmet coffee chain's third settlement of an NLRB complaint alleging the company was attempting to dissuade employees from joining a union.

The settlement stemmed from a complaint filed in July by Minneapolis barista Erik Forman who claimed he was fired for encouraging workers to join the Industrial Workers of the World union. He was fired July 10 after he received a "final written warning" for showing up half an hour late to work. The warning followed two earlier tardy notices.

Starbucks then reversed its decision and hired Forman back in August, saying the initial firing was "ill-considered." Starbucks, though, said Forman's firing had nothing to do with his activity in the union.

"We view this settlement of the NLRB charge as confirming the steps we already took to make things right in this situation," Starbucks said in a statement.

When Starbucks gave Forman his job back, the company asked him to voluntarily withdraw his NLRB complaint, but he decided to move forward with it.

FULL story at link.

[AFSCME girl]

1. Hi Omaha Steve - great post!

I'm glad this person still went ahead with his NLRB complaint.

I don't think I will be frequenting Starbucks anytime soon (not that I ever did). I've seen too many photos of McNuts and his wife running around - always with a Starbucks cup in their hands - GAH!

:hi: