Starbucks illegally fired six employees who attempted to organize unions at the company’s locations in Rochester and Buffalo, an administrative judge for the National Labor Relations Board determined, the BBC reports.
The judge noted the company’s anti-union activities were “egregious and widespread” violations of US labor laws. The decision requires Starbucks to re-hire the former employees, re-hire another employee forced to leave the job, and offer compensation to those affected. The judge found the company practiced “a general disregard for the employees’ fundamental rights” including sending senior corporate employees to locations considering unionizing to try to intimidate the staff and influence the vote.