Starbucks’ Schultz Gave Illegal Job Threat, NLRB Judge Rules (2)

Former Starbucks Corp. CEO Howard Schultz violated federal labor law by inviting workers to quit because they engaged in union activity, a National Labor Relations Board judge ruled.

Schultz made the illegal threat—telling a worker “if you’re not happy at Starbucks, you can go work for another company”—at a Starbucks listening tour event in 2022, Administrative Law Judge Brian Gee said in his Friday decision.

Schultz was responding to barista Madison Hall’s statements, which included comments about NLRB charges against the company.

“Schultz’ invitation to quit was far more than a suggestion as to how Hall could be a ...