Starbucks fires local union organizer

Union organizers are calling for a boycott of the store
Starbucks Workers United
Photo credit WBEN

Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The battle over unionizing Starbucks stores continues.

Angel Krempa, who led the unionization at the Depew Starbucks on Transit Road, was fired on Friday. The company says it was because of being late twice and not following company policy.

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Krempa says she did follow policy, and her firing was because the company is stalling on bargaining over a contract that would have a “just cause” clause in it.

"The real reason Starbucks fired Angel is the same reason she has been targeted for months, because she is a union leader who is unafraid to stand up to the company," said Starbucks Workers United in a statement.

Union organizers are calling for a boycott of the store.

In a related story, 1010 WINS reports Starbucks’ flagship storefront in New York City voted to unionize on Friday, becoming the first location in the city and the 10th nationwide to do so. The Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Chelsea also includes a manufacturing plant attached to the storefront, making some of the workers at this location the first unionized Starbucks manufacturing laborers in the United States.

Three other New York City Starbucks cafes also started voting on Friday. The roastery election was held in-person rather than via mail-in ballot, so the results were released immediately, according to CNBC.

Featured Image Photo Credit: WBEN