Supreme Court rules unanimously in favor of Starbucks in labor dispute

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously on Thursday in favor of Starbucks in a labor dispute, curtailing the power of the National Labor Relations Board to force the company to rehire labor activists in Tennessee.

Starbucks baristas have been trying unsuccessfully to organize for years.

Justice Clarence Thomas wrote the opinion in the case, saying, “The question in this case is whether the traditional four-factor test for a preliminary injunction articulated in Winter v. Natural Resources Defense Council ... governs the board’s requests under [Section] 10(j).”

“We conclude that it does, and therefore vacate and remand," it added.

The board used a two-part test that was less stringent instead of the four-part test referenced, and the Sixth Circuit affirmed this.

The case was sent back to the Sixth Circuit for the ruling to be adjusted according to the traditional standard.