Starbucks labour dispute to be taken up by US Supreme Court

Starbucks will have its union dispute heard by the Supreme Court, as the coffee giant challenges a court order to re-hire fired union organizers. The company argues that the case brought by US labor officials lacks sufficient justification for the order. The outcome of this fight could have significant implications for the relief that American workers can expect in labor disputes. The National Labor Relations Board had obtained an emergency court order requiring Starbucks to rehire seven employees in Memphis, finding that the company had unlawfully retaliated against them for union activity. Starbucks claims that these employees were fired for violating company policies, including accessing its properties while off-duty. The company appealed the emergency order, which was upheld by a lower court. Supporters of temporary injunctions argue that they are necessary to address harm that occurs during the lengthy process of resolving labor disputes. Starbucks has successfully fought off similar orders in other cases, indicating a split in legal opinion that it hopes the Supreme Court will resolve. Business groups, including the US Chamber of Commerce, have filed arguments in support of Starbucks. This battle emerges amidst a rise in labor organizing across the US, affecting companies like Amazon, Apple, and major automakers. Over 370 Starbucks locations in the US have voted to unionize since 2021, with Starbucks Workers United filing numerous complaints accusing the company of violating labor laws to hinder unionization efforts. In many instances, labor officials have upheld these claims during their investigations. Starbucks Workers United has criticized the company's attempts to eliminate the National Labor Relations Board's effective tools for holding corporations accountable for illegal actions. The Supreme Court's decision to take up the Memphis case expands Starbucks' conflict with its own employees to a broader confrontation with US workers.