The National Labor Relations Board is asking Federal Courts to review and order Starbucks to stop using multiple “arrays of illegal tactics” aimed at workers attempting to contribute to unionization efforts.

The petition is the board’s third against Starbucks. Since the first store in Buffalo voted to join a union, 151 other stores have since voted to attempt unionization, and 289 have filed with the National Labor Relations Board to hold elections.

Efforts of unionization have been constantly opposed by Starbucks as the company argues it runs better when dealing directly with employees. Many times as well the company has rejected claims it has been using unlawful tactics to discourage workers from attempting unionization.

"As we have said previously, we believe these claims are false and will be prepared to defend our case."

A Starbucks spokesperson said.

The National Labor Relations Board is asking Starbucks specifically to rehire seven employees it allegedly fired illegally for trying to form a union. The group also wants Starbucks to openly negotiate with stores whose union elections are harmed by anti-union efforts. According to the National Labor Relations Board, Starbucks has used "an expansive array of illegal tactics," such as using managers to monitor workers and discourage union activity, closing stores with active organizing drives, and firing seven union activists at five different stores over the course of six weeks

"Absent immediate interim relief, Starbucks will achieve its goal, through unlawful means, or irreparably harming the campaign in Buffalo, and sending a clear chilling message to its employees across the country.”

Linda Leslie, the National Labor Relations Board Buffalo regional director, said.

Linda Leslie also filed a complaint in May with 200+ allegations of unfair labor practices by Starbucks. A hearing surrounding this complaint is set for July 11, 2022.

Starbucks is also being asked to halt a range of conduct such as refusing to negotiate with stores that have voted to unionize and temporarily shutting stores down.

"The company's union busting has been shocking and relentless over the last 10 months, and the relief the NLRB seeks in federal court matches the scope and depth of Starbucks' violations of workers' rights."

Ian Hayes, an attorney for the union, said.