A federal administrative judge with the National Labor Relations Board — which oversees labor issues and allegations of unfair workplace practices — ruled on Tuesday that Starbucks unlawfully fired two Colorado baristas who were involved in organizing a union at their locations and in a recommended order, said the company should rehire them and give them back pay.
Judge Mara-Louise Anzalone ruled that Starbucks unlawfully terminated Ryan Dinaro from a Denver location and Joseph Mathis in Colorado Springs due to their union activities, in violation of the National Labor Relations Act.
“I am planning to return to Starbucks to fight for a contract because my coworkers deserve better,” Dinaro said in a statement released by Starbucks Workers United. “They deserve stable hours so they can consistently keep healthcare and tuition. They deserve safety committees to remind management that attempted robbery, menacing, and assault on property is not normal, and security upgrades are desperately needed. They deserve a standard pay raise schedule so they don’t need to beg management.”