Federal officials accuse Starbucks of unfair labor practices in Buffalo

Federal labor officials filed a sweeping lawsuit Friday accusing Starbucks of unfair labor practices at its Buffalo, New York, stores, including retaliation against union employees.

The Buffalo regional director of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) outlined a series of labor law violations in a filing seeking reinstatement and financial compensation for employees.

There has been a wave of unionization drives at Starbucks stores across the country, with the first union votes held at three Buffalo stores in December of last year.

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The coffee chain called the accusations "false" and vowed to fight them at an upcoming hearing.

"Starbucks does not agree that the claims have merit, and the formulation of the lawsuit does not constitute a finding of the NLRB," spokesman Reggie Borges wrote in an email.

"It is the beginning of a litigation process that allows both parties to be heard and present evidence."

Starbucks Workers United, the group behind the unionization effort, said the complaint "confirms the scope and depravity of Starbucks conduct in Western New York for most of the year."

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"Finally, Starbucks is being held accountable for the anti-union rampage it went on," Danny Rojas, a shift supervisor who was fired, said in a statement.

"Starbucks must understand that it is immoral and corrupt to retaliate against union leaders, and I hope the NLRB will force Starbucks to do the right thing."

Last month, federal labor officials asked a judge to force Starbucks to reinstate three union activists in Phoenix, alleging the coffee giant engaged in unfair labor practices.

As of this week, workers at more than 250 US stores have petitioned the labor board to hold union elections, labor organizers say.

At least 50 of those stores have voted to unionize with Workers United, a branch of the Service Employees International Union.

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Starbucks reported Tuesday that its sales rose to record levels in its fiscal second quarter, but said it faced higher labor costs, which will grow even higher in coming months as the company introduces new salary increases and other benefits.

However, workers who have voted to unionize or stores that have applied to hold a union election will not be eligible for those pay increases and fringe benefits.

Starbucks Workers United has said it filed the charges with the labor board on Tuesday.

The group alleges that the company is violating the labor law by threatening to exclude unionized stores from receiving the new benefits.