A Colorado judge has ordered a local Starbucks to rehire, pay and apologize to a barista who was “illegally” fired for organizing a union.
Barista Alendra “Len” Harris had been fired from her role as shift leader at the Starbucks Superior location on November 18, 2022, after organizing a union at the branch and participating in the Red Cup Rebellion the same week.
The Red Cup Rebellion saw baristas from more than 200 US Starbucks locations walk away from their jobs last month, the busiest day of the year for the company, where it is offering customers a reusable red cup to celebrate the holiday launch.
Federal Administrative Law Judge Ira Sandron ruled on December 22, 2023 that the coffeehouse had “engaged in certain unfair labor practices” against Harris.
Barista Alendra “Len” Harris had been fired from her role as shift leader at the Starbucks Superior location on November 18, 2022, after organizing a union at the branch and participating in the Red Cup Rebellion the same week
Federal Administrative Law Judge Ira Sandron ruled on December 22, 2023 that the coffeehouse had “engaged in certain unfair labor practices” against Harris
As a remedy, Judge Sandron ordered Starbucks to rehire Harris to the same position within fourteen days, pay for damages and losses she may have suffered while unemployed, and send her a letter of apology.
As a remedy, Judge Sandron ordered Starbucks to rehire Harris to the same position within fourteen days, pay for damages and losses she may have suffered while unemployed, and send her a letter of apology.
The court order also said the company would have to sign a notice saying it had violated federal labor law.
In an interview with CBSHarris said she feels validated by Judge Sandron's ruling.
'There are many feelings. I am incredibly validated. It really becomes different if a legal document shows that you have been treated unfairly,” the supervisor said.
But the multinational did not agree with the ruling.
A Starbucks representative said this The Colorado sun: 'We firmly disagree with the recommendations of the administrative judge and intend to file exceptions – or appeal – in this matter.
“It was not retaliation for their participation in or support of coordinated union activities.”
'There are many feelings. I am incredibly validated. It really becomes different if a legal document shows that you have been treated unfairly,” the supervisor said
A Starbucks representative said: “We strongly disagree with the administrative law judge's recommendations and intend to file exceptions – or appeal – in this matter.”
The Red Cup Rebellion saw baristas from more than 200 US Starbucks locations walk out of their jobs last month. Pictured here, Starbucks employees marched for their rights outside a New York location
Starbucks' Superior location voted to unionize in April 2022, but Harris pushed the location to unionize and made the location the state's first later that year.
According to court documents, a temporary manager at the Superior location began laying off employees shortly before Harris was fired last year.
Harris explained, “She warned us that an anti-union manager was coming, they're going to drop the ax, they're really going to fire you for minor infractions or things you didn't know about, and low and behold, after a month with having worked on her, that's exactly what she started doing.
“She started firing people for being a minute or two late, and started firing people for dress code violations.”
In October 2022, Harris was notified that she had allegedly miscounted the store's safe and received a final notice, even though there had been no previous issues during her employment.
She was later accused of leaving the door unlocked and cash unattended. Harris was later fired from that facility on November 18, 2022.
She then went to the National Labor Relations Board and explained what had happened.
“I went to the National Labor Relations Board in Denver and I took my concerns to them and said, 'Hey, I just got fired from the company, this company, I was organizing a union, and I'm quite positive about it.” they fired me for union organizing,” she said.
A six-month investigation was then launched and Starbucks was found to be at fault, but the company continued to fight back until last week's ruling.
According to the union's website this year, some of their notable demands include a base wage of at least $20 per hour for baristas and $25.40 for shift supervisors.
Last year, Starbucks' annual revenue was $32.25 billion, up 10.98 percent from 2021.
The 2022 Christmas cup giveaway was the company's highest sales day of all time – even though 100 of its locations were on strike last year, Axios reports.
Starbucks Workers Reunited said: “Last year the workers went on strike. This year, after victories won by striking workers in various industries across the country, Starbucks employees are taking the rebellion to the next level!”
According to the union's website this year, some of their notable demands include a base wage of at least $20 per hour for baristas and $25.40 for shift supervisors.
Currently, Starbucks stores have different wages for their baristas based on location.
According to Indeed, California baristas earn an average of $16.18 and New York City workers make $17.02.
The wage for a Starbucks worker in Mississippi – the US state with the highest poverty rate – is $12.79.