NLRB Region 7-Detroit Wins Injunction Requiring Starbucks to Rehire Unlawfully Fired Worker, Post the Court’s Order, and Cease and Desist from Unlawful Activities Nationwide

On February 17, 2023, U.S. District Judge Mark A. Goldsmith of the District Court of Eastern Michigan issued an injunction requiring Starbucks to reinstate an unlawfully fired worker, post and read the Court’s Order, and cease and desist from unlawful activities nationwide. 

“The District Court’s ruling confirms that Starbucks continues to violate the law in egregious ways, thus requiring a nationwide cease and desist order. Specifically, in addition to ordering reinstatement of an unlawfully fired union supporter, the judge appropriately ordered Starbucks to stop discharging and otherwise interfering with workers’ rights to organize at all its stores around the country,” said General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo. “We will continue to vigorously pursue swift and full remedies for workers whose rights are violated.” 

The injunction was issued based on a petition filed by Region 7-Detroit Regional Director Elizabeth K. Kerwin in November. Section 10(j) of the National Labor Relations Act authorizes the National Labor Relations Board to seek injunctions against employers and unions in federal district courts to stop unfair labor practices where, due to the passage of time, the normal Board processes are likely to be inadequate to effectively remedy the alleged violations.  

The petition explained that Starbucks unlawfully discharged its employee, who was at the time the lead organizer for the union and engaged in protected activities, to discourage its employees from engaging in these activities.  

“I’m proud of the Region’s employees for their hard work on this case,” said Region 7-Detroit Regional Director Elizabeth Kerwin. “Region 7’s staff is dedicated to effectuating the National Labor Relations Act—including ensuring workers’ ability to freely choose whether they want union representation.” 

Trial attorney Tony Smith of NLRB’s Region 7-Detroit represented the Agency’s position in the Section 10(j) proceedings before Judge Goldsmith.   

Established in 1935, the National Labor Relations Board is an independent federal agency that protects employees, employers, and unions from unfair labor practices and protects the right of private sector employees to join together, with or without a union, to improve wages, benefits and working conditions. The NLRB conducts hundreds of workplace elections and investigates thousands of unfair labor practice charges each year. Region 7 serves areas in Michigan from its Regional Office in Detroit and its Resident Office in Grand Rapids.