Brookline Starbucks Union Returns to Work After Months-Long Strike | Eater Boston

"Unionized baristas at the Brookline location near Boston University ended a months-long strike on Sept. 21 after picketing nearly continuously since July 18 following a June vote to unionize. Workers had accused management of creating a chaotic, hostile work environment and, in a July letter, alleged that an interim manager illegally threatened discipline or termination over compliance with a newly implemented policy and that the company had not bargained in good faith. The district manager agreed to involve employees in an investigation of the interim manager, seek her replacement, and collaborate on scheduling and understaffing concerns upon their return — developments the union framed as a victory. A company spokesperson countered that employees were returning with no new conditions but said the chain looks forward to scheduling collective bargaining sessions; the dispute unfolded amid a nationwide unionization wave and sanctions from the National Labor Relations Board against the global coffee chain." - Adam H. Callaghan