PORTLAND, Ore. — The National Labor Relations Board issued a complaint on Wednesday, alleging that Starbucks illegally closed 23 of its stores to suppress union organizing.
Federal regulators also said that the company needs to reopen each of the locations, including three in Portland: at SW 4th and Morrison, at Gateway in Northeast and at Kearney Plaza in the Pearl. More than a year after the closures, the storefronts sit vacant.
When the company initially announced the closure of two back in July 2022, leaders cited safety concerns as a primary reason. However, at the time, some customers didn't buy it.
A spokesperson for the union, Workers United wrote in part, that "This complaint is the latest confirmation of Starbucks' determination to illegally oppose workers' organizing."
Starbucks sent KGW a statement in response to the complaint, saying it evaluates stores every year.
"This includes opening new locations, identifying stores in need of investment or renovation, exploring locations where an alternative format is needed, and in some instances, re-evaluating our footprint," the corporation said.
An administrative law judge has yet to issue a decision on this specific matter.
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