In a countermove, Workers United filed its own complaint against Starbucks in Pennsylvania federal court. The union is seeking a declaratory judgment to continue using the name and logo “Starbucks Workers United.” Workers United argues that Starbucks has defamed the union through public statements suggesting that it supports “terrorism, hate, and violence.”
The union contends that Starbucks’ statements are a deliberate attempt to damage its reputation and its standing with workers and the public. Workers United pointed out that various unions have integrated the employer’s name into their titles, similar to “Half Price Books Workers United,” “Amazon Labor Union,” and “Southwest Airline Pilots Association.”
Starbucks Workers United was formed in 2021 after Starbucks employees in Buffalo, New York, began unionizing with support from Workers United. The union’s logo features the words “Starbucks Workers United” encircling a clenched fist holding a cup.
According to Law360’s Starbucks Unionization Tracker, Starbucks employees have initiated unionization efforts at more than 500 locations across the country. The company has responded by allegedly surveilling, firing, and disciplining workers supporting unionization. The union has filed over 650 unfair labor practice charges against Starbucks regarding its union response.
