PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A dozen complaints have been filed against Starbucks stores in Philadelphia by baristas claiming the company has violated the city’s Fair Workweek law.
The baristas allege some store managers prioritized work shifts for favorite employees and closed stores early because workers were wearing union shirts. One employee, who used to work at the storefront at Penn Medicine, said he was working 30 to 40 hours a week until his hours were slashed in half.
Details about the complaints came from a news release by Starbucks Workers United, which has been leading the unionization push for Starbucks baristas in the Philadelphia area and around the country.
The Fair Workweek law, which went into effect in 2020, protects workers in the service, retail and hospitality industries. Businesses with 250 or more employees and 30 or more locations worldwide are required to give employees predictable work schedules, good-faith estimates and schedules 14 days in advance. Workers are also protected from retaliation for exercising their rights.
On top of the dozen Philly complaints, there are 10 from workers in Chicago. They all have come in the aftermath of the 70 complaints that were filed in New York City in recent months.
In response, Starbucks spokesperson Andrew Trull said in a statement, “We make every effort and have invested significant resources to ensure partner scheduling practices are in alignment with local Fair Workweek ordinances.”
Unrelated to these specific complaints, Thursday was scheduled to be a day of action at 25 college campuses around the country, including the University of Pennsylvania. Student groups want to see their institutions cut ties with Starbucks because of their labor practices and alleged union busting.