Memphis Starbucks Workers Say Coffee Giant Firing Union Leaders

MEMPHIS, TN — Starbucks workers are accusing the corporate leaders of firing employees leading unionization efforts in Memphis stores.

Starbucks Workers United tweeted that the workers were fired for speaking to the media, accusing Starbucks of retaliating against unionization efforts.

Several Starbucks employees from Memphis spoke to TV station WREG last month about their efforts to start a union.

Starbucks confirmed to Patch that seven workers in Memphis were fired recently and stated the cause of termination was safety and security policy violations.

The unionization movement among Starbucks workers has gained traction since employees in Buffalo, New York, began the process late last year. More than 50 stores in 19 states have since filed petitions for union elections. Starbucks has actively been arguing its case to the National Labor Relations Board in an attempt to stop elections at individual stores, according to a report from Yahoo News.

Two Buffalo stores already have voted in favor of forming a union represented by Workers United.