City, Starbucks Reach Settlement Over Fired Astoria Starbucks Worker

ASTORIA, QUEENS — Starbucks will pay one of its baristas more than $20,000 after he was illegally fired following the store’s union election, according to the city’s Department of Consumer and Worker Protection.

Austin Locke, who returned to work at the Astoria Starbucks on Monday, will receive over $21,000 in backpay and penalties after the department sued the coffee chain under the city’s fast-food worker just cause law.

“New York’s workers should know that we will always fight to protect their rights” said Mayor Eric Adams. “Thanks to the efforts of our administration, Austin Locke will be returning to his job today at Starbucks — and with thousands of dollars in backpay in his pocket.”

Locke was terminated in July 2022 several days after workers at the Starbucks store located at 22-28 31st Street won their National Labor Relations Board union election.

The longtime barista was a lead organizer coming up to the election.

The “just clause” law states that fast food companies cannot fire or lay off workers who have completed a probation period of 30 days, or reduce their hours by more than 15 percent, without just cause or a legitimate economic reason.

“Getting reinstated is not just a win for me but a win for the working class,” said Austin Locke. “Let this be an example to all: In New York City, you can’t mess with workers.”

A rally was held for Locke on Monday, with dozens of people joining the barista in front of the Astoria Starbucks to celebrate his reinstatement.