SEATTLE - The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has filed a complaint against Starbucks, alleging that the coffee giant unlawfully closed 23 union and non-union stores across the country, including eight locations in the Seattle area. The complaint, filed on Wednesday, seeks an order for Starbucks to reopen the stores, offer union workers their jobs back, and provide compensation for financial losses.

According to an NLRB spokesperson, Starbucks closed the unionized stores without giving the union an opportunity to bargain over the decision. The NLRB's counsel is now seeking remedies to address the employees' financial losses and to ensure that their rights are protected.

"This complaint is the latest confirmation of Starbucks' determination to illegally oppose workers' organizing," stated a member of the Starbucks union in a news release. The union member also referred to a labor report released by the company that highlighted various complaints against Starbucks. They emphasized the need for the company to change its behavior if it is genuinely committed to building a better relationship with its partners.

Starbucks, on the other hand, denied any wrongdoing and asserted that it respects its employees' rights to organize and engage in union activities without fear of retaliation. The company stated that it is committed to engaging in good faith collective bargaining for each store with a certified union, and it aims to reach ratified contracts for union-represented stores by 2024.

Starbucks attributed the closure of the stores to regular business reviews aimed at assessing the overall health and footprint of their store portfolio. The company emphasized that these decisions were made without regard to union status.

KOMO News previously covered the closure of six Starbucks locations in the Seattle area due to safety concerns, although employees claimed it was in retaliation for their union organizing efforts. It is worth noting that four of these closed locations are included in the complaint filed by the NLRB.

Out of the eight Seattle-area stores mentioned in the complaint, four were not represented by Starbucks Workers United, an organization representing Starbucks employees. In total, seven locations were represented by Starbucks Workers United at the time of closure.

The NLRB's complaint against Starbucks highlights the ongoing battle between the company and its workers over unionization efforts and raises questions about the fair treatment of employees when it comes to organizing. As the legal process unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the NLRB's efforts will result in the reopening of the closed Starbucks stores and the restoration of jobs for union workers.