Protesters in Seattle join a Starbucks Workers United strike over what the union alleges is a change in policy over Pride décor in stores. Starbucks maintains it has not changed its policies and encourages stores to celebrate within the company's security and safety guidelines, while the union alleges workers in 22 states where workers have not been able to decorate.
Rob Weller | CNBC
Starbucks fired back Monday at the union that represents baristas at hundreds of stores, filing charges with the National Labor Relations Board over Starbucks Workers United's allegations that dozens of its stores were not allowed to put up Pride month decor.
The coffee giant's charges come after some locations started picketing Friday in response to the claims. More than 150 stores pledged to join the strikes around the country, representing nearly 3,500 workers, Workers United said. Starbucks has more than 9,000 company-owned cafes in the U.S.
The union has alleged instances in at least 22 states where managers have told baristas they can't decorate for Pride month in June, or where Pride flags were taken down. The company has said it has not changed its policies on decorations.
In the NLRB complaint Monday tied to the union's allegations, Starbucks said the "union and its agents have engaged in a smear campaign that includes deliberate misrepresentations to Starbucks partners."
"The union's violations have ignited and inflamed workplace tension and division and provoked strikes and other...
Although on appeal the court distinguished that there was new information in the claim, the court ultimately found the new information was not material, nor was it plead with particularity. The U....