Union Fight Heats Up , As Labor Board Files Complaint , Against Starbucks.br ABC reports that the National Labor br Relations Board (NLRB) has accused Starbucks br of violating United States labor law.br According to a complaint filed on August 24, br Starbucks has withheld pay hikes and other br benefits from stores that voted to unionize.br According to a complaint filed on August 24, br Starbucks has withheld pay hikes and other br benefits from stores that voted to unionize.br The labor board's complaint is based on charges filed br by Workers United, the union looking to rally workers br at Starbucks' 9,000 company-owned U.S. locations.br The labor board's complaint is based on charges filed br by Workers United, the union looking to rally workers br at Starbucks' 9,000 company-owned U.S. locations.br ABC reports that over 220 br U.S. Starbucks have votedbr to unionize since 2021.br In response, Starbucks has filed its br own complaints against the Seattle br Board of Labor and the union itself.br According to the NLRB, Starbucks has offered non-unionized stores raises and benefits that include increased training, career opportunities, better tips and a relaxed dress code.br According to the NLRB, Starbucks has offered non-unionized stores raises and benefits that include increased training, career opportunities, better tips and a relaxed dress code.br Starbucks interim CEO Howard Schultz defended br the disparity by stating that U.S. labor law requires br union stores to negotiate their own contracts.br Starbucks interim CEO Howard Schultz defended br the disparity by stating that U.S. labor law requires br union stores to negotiate their own contracts.br We do not have the same freedom br to make these improvements br at locations that have a union, Howard Schultz, Starbucks interim CEO, via ABC.br Wages and benefits are mandatory subjects br of the collective bargaining process, Starbucks statement, via ABC.br According to the NLRB, Starbucks' actions have violated laws that prohibit employers from interfering with employees' rights to organize.