The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has accused eleven Starbucks managers in New York City of violating the law thirty different times in its campaign against the Starbucks Workers Union. The complaint made detailed charges outlining Starbucks' efforts to suppress union organizing including managers firing workers supportive of unionizing, threatening others, and giving workers negative performance reviews. Additionally, the NLRB has accused Starbucks' management of illegally interrogating workers about their support of the union and prohibiting workers from discussing the union on breaks.

While Starbucks has dismissed the charges stating that "we believe the allegations are baseless, and we will vigorously defend ourselves" the Starbucks Workers Union is highlighting the fact that this is the second time that the NLRB has accused Starbucks of engaging in anti-union intimidation. A previous ruling by the NLRB forced Starbucks to negotiate with the Starbucks Workers Union and resulted in Starbucks offering jobs to two fired workers and paying $2,000 to Starbucks' employees. In a statement to the media, Starbucks Workers Union organizer Daniel Gross stated that "this Labor Board complaint reveals that repeat-offender Starbucks is an unrepentant violator of workers' rights" and highlighted the fact that "it's remarkable that our union is growing stronger everyday despite an almost three year campaign of illegal dirty tricks to defeat us." Despite Starbucks claims of being a "socially responsible" employer, the Starbucks Workers Union has documented unfair wages paid to both Starbucks baristas and farmers in Ethiopia that grow coffee sold at Starbucks.