Seattle Starbucks to close another store for 'safety reasons' by Chin Hei Leung / SOPA Images
Starbucks has announced the closure of its store located at Broadway and Denny in Capitol Hill, Seattle, due to "safety and security incidents." The location, which was the first Starbucks store to unionize in Seattle, has sparked controversy among employees who claim that the closure is a result of union-busting tactics. Workers United, the employees' union, argues that the closure is scheduled on the anniversary of the union's formation last year, and the Capitol Hill store is the fourth unionized Seattle location to close. In response, Starbucks denies these allegations and states that they have made several attempts to resolve the issues at the store but closing it was the only option to ensure the safety of staff and customers. A Starbucks spokesperson stated, "At Starbucks, we make every effort to ensure our partners feel safe and supported at work so they can focus on providing our customers the safe, welcoming experience they’ve come to love and expect. Unfortunately, despite several mitigating efforts, safety and security incidents at our Broadway and Denny store have continued to escalate. As a result, we will be closing our Broadway and Denny store to customers on December 9, 2022."
The closure of Starbucks' Capitol Hill location has caused concern among employees and customers alike, with some accusing the company of union-busting and others raising questions about the company's commitment to ensuring safety in the workplace.
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