Starbucks, Workers United Union Sue Each Other In Standoff Over Pro-Palestinian Social Media Post

A confrontation between Starbucks and the labor union that organizes its employees was initiated on Wednesday due to a social media post concerning the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Wednesday in federal court in Iowa, Starbucks filed a lawsuit against Workers United, alleging that an early pro-Palestinian social media post from a union account damaged its reputation and infuriated hundreds of customers.

In a lawsuit filed by Starbucks against Workers United for trademark infringement, the company demands that the organization cease using “Starbucks Workers United” to represent its employees in an organizing capacity. Additionally, Starbucks requests that the organization discontinue the use of a circular green logo resembling its own.

In response, Workers United submitted a petition to a Pennsylvania federal court requesting permission to continue using the name and logo of Starbucks. Additionally, Workers United claimed that Starbucks defamed the organization by suggesting that it condones terrorism and violence.

Two days after Hamas militants stormed communities in southern Israel on October 9, Starbucks Workers United declared “Solidarity with Palestine!” on X, formerly Twitter. In its lawsuit, Workers United, a Philadelphia-based Service Employees International Union affiliate, alleged that employees published the tweet without union leaders’ permission. The post was withdrawn after approximately forty minutes of existence.

Starbucks, Workers United Union Sue Each Other In Standoff Over Pro-Palestinian Social Media Post.

On X Wednesday, however, local Starbucks Workers United branches’ retweets and posts endorsing Palestine and denouncing Israel remained visible. Starbucks, headquartered in Seattle, initiated legal proceedings in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, alleging that Iowa City Starbucks Workers United was among the individuals who disseminated pro-Palestinian content.

Starbucks demanded in a letter to Workers United dated October 13 that the union cease using its name and logo similar to its own. Workers United responded that the Starbucks Workers United profile on X unambiguously designates the organization as a labor union.

Workers United President Lynne Fox stated in a letter to Starbucks, “Starbucks is attempting to capitalise on the ongoing tragedy in the Middle East to bolster its anti-union campaign.”

In its lawsuit, Workers United noted that unions, including the Amazon Labour Union and the National Football League Players Association, frequently use the company name of the employees they represent.

Starbucks, Workers United Union Sue Each Other In Standoff Over Pro-Palestinian Social Media Post.

Starbucks reported receiving over a thousand complaints regarding the union’s post. The coffee behemoth headquartered in Seattle reported that employees encountered hostile customers and received threatening phone calls. Spray-painted Stars of David and a swastika adorn the storefront windows of a Rhode Island establishment.

Several legislators, including Florida Republican Senator Rick Scott, advocated for a boycott of Starbucks.

Rep. Randy Fine, a Republican from Florida, tweeted on October 11, “By patronising Starbucks, you are endorsing the killing of Jews.”

Starbucks’ official statements regarding the conflict have conveyed condolences to the innocent victims in Gaza and Israel.

Starbucks, Workers United Union Sue Each Other In Standoff Over Pro-Palestinian Social Media Post.

In a letter to employees last week, executive vice president of Starbucks Sara Kelly said, “Starbucks unequivocally condemns acts of hatred, terrorism, and violence.”

Workers United has not yet released a statement of its own. However, the SEIU, the organization’s parent organization, stated on Tuesday that “all Israelis and Palestinians deserve safety, freedom from violence, and the opportunity to flourish” and that it has many members with family on both sides of the conflict.

Since August 2021, Starbucks Workers United has been operating under that identity, just a few months before the unionization of its inaugural Starbucks location in Buffalo, New York. Since then, at least 366 Starbucks locations in the United States have voted to unionize. The campaign instigated a surge of labor demonstrations, including Amazon employees, Hollywood writers and actors, and auto workers.

However, Starbucks has not reached a labor agreement at any of its unionized locations and does not support unionization. Due to the contentious nature of the procedure, employees have organized numerous disruptions. According to the NLRB, 38 decisions have been rendered by federal district judges and administrative judges who have determined that Starbucks engaged in unjust labor practices. These practices allegedly involved the postponement of negotiations and withholding benefits from unionized employees.

SOURCE – (AP)