Starbucks Takes Edge Over NLRB in Fifth Circuit Doubleheader

A federal appeals court seemed to want more for former Starbucks Corp. CEO Howard Schultz’s invitation for a worker to quit to qualify as an unlawful threat during one of two back-to-back oral arguments in company challenges to National Labor Relations Board rulings.

US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit judges Tuesday suggested that the NLRB didn’t consider enough context when it found Schultz violated federal labor law at a company listening event by telling a worker—who had just spoke in support of unionizing— “if you’re not happy at Starbucks, you can go work for another company.”

While Judge ...