New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga today announced a landmark $38.9 million settlement with Starbucks for widespread violation of the city’s Fair Workweek Law — the largest worker protection settlement in New York City history. A multi-year investigation by DCWP found that Starbucks committed more than half a million violations of the law since 2021, illegally denying thousands of workers across more than 300 locations the right to stable and predictable schedules, as well as the right to pick up additional hours and earn more; instead, Starbucks arbitrarily cut schedules and illegally prioritized their own profits over their workers’ rights.

The settlement announced today requires Starbucks to pay more than $35.5 million in restitution to over 15,000 workers harmed by Starbucks’ unlawful practices, as well as any additional workers who come forward. The settlement also requires Starbucks to pay $3.4 million in civil penalties and costs and requires the company to comply with the law going forward. With today’s settlement, the Adams administration has now secured nearly $90 million in worker relief from different companies as it ensures New York workers get every dollar they have earned.

“It does not matter how big your business is or how much money your company makes, if you violate our workers’ rights, you will pay the price,” said Mayor Adams. “With this landmark settlement, we will put tens of millions of dollars back into the pockets of hard-working New Yorkers and reinforce every New Yorker’s right to a reliable schedule, full hours, and basic dignity. We’ll make sure that New York City remains a place where employees are treated fairly and…