
A federal labor judge has ordered Starbucks to reinstate seven fired workers, reopen a shuttered location, and respect workers’ rights after finding that the company violated labor laws during a unionization campaign in Buffalo, New York. Judge Michael Rosas of the National Labor Relations Board cited Starbucks’ “egregious and widespread misconduct” in his 200-page decision, which consolidated 35 unfair labor practice complaints. The order requires Starbucks to post a notice listing its labor violations and workers’ rights in all U.S. stores, provide financial restitution for 27 workers, bargain with the union at multiple stores, and reopen a location that was closed amid significant union activity. Starbucks says the decision and remedies ordered are inappropriate and is considering its legal options. Union supporters are elated with the ruling, saying it will help energize their campaign. The ruling came on the same day that U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders announced an upcoming vote that could force Starbucks’ interim CEO Howard Schultz to testify about the union campaign before the Senate’s labor committee.