Starbucks Illegally Called Cops on Workers, NLRB Judge Rules (1)

Starbucks Corp. violated federal labor law by summoning police to remove workers who were passing out handbills outside of a store in Buffalo, N.Y., a National Labor Relations Board judge ruled.

While Starbucks had the legal right to bring in law enforcement to eject the non-employees who were distributing fliers, the company committed an unfair labor practice by asking cops to remove the workers who were legally leafleting, Administrative Law Judge Christal Key held Thursday.

The handbills asked Starbucks customers for help in getting the company to negotiate with the workers’ union on a labor contract.

NLRB judges have ruled ...