Fired Starbucks Union Organizers James M & Jake L

Starbucks union organizers James M. and Jake L. were fired from the company on the morning of August 29th, 2022. Both long-time Starbucks employees are active leaders in the Starbucks labor movement in Eugene, OR, and were unjustly fired for reasons clearly contrived to push pro-union partners out of the company.

James M. had been a Starbucks employee for 10 years when the manager at W. 11th & Acorn Park fired him for locking the front doors of the store during business hours. Prior to James locking the front doors, the store manager had been illegally threatening to fire her employees if they went on strike. Knowing their rights, a handful of employees, including James, walked out. As keyholder, James felt obligated to lock the doors behind him. During James' termination of employment, the district manager was present as witness.

Jake L. had been with Starbucks for nearly 6 years when the manager at the 29th & Willamette location served him a notice of separation, claiming that Jake had been late or absent on multiple occasions without calling the store ahead of time. As many of his coworkers will attest, Jake's phone was unable to make phone calls, and instead Jake would text the shift supervisor or the work group chat to inform the store of any tardiness or absence. The store manager was aware of this situation, and it had not been considered a problem until recently, after 29th & Willamette had unionized. The district manager was present for the firing, acting as witness.