Starbucks’ Nonunion Worker Pay Bumps Raise Labor Law Red Flags

Federal labor board allegations that Starbucks Corp. illegally gave pay raises and benefits to nonunion workers and denied them to union workers illustrate the legal minefield employers must navigate when they have these types of mixed workforces.

The National Labor Relations Act generally prohibits employers from changing union workers’ job terms and conditions without bargaining, with some exceptions.

At the same time, the National Labor Relations Board can consider it unlawful discrimination if a company fails to provide union workers the benefits and wage bumps given to nonunion workers.

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