Baristas of the world unite? Gimme a break...

Federal labor officials filed a sweeping complaint Friday accusing Starbucks of unfair labor practices at its stores in Buffalo, New York, including retaliation against pro-union employees.

The National Labor Relations Board's Buffalo regional director outlined a host of labor law violations in a filing seeking reinstatement and backpay for the employees. 

There's been a wave of unionization drives at Starbucks stores nationwide, with the first union votes coming in December at three stores in Buffalo.

The coffee chain called the allegations "false" and vowed to fight them at an upcoming hearing. "Starbucks does not agree that the claims have merit, and the complaint's issuance does not constitute a finding by the NLRB," spokesman Reggie Borges wrote in an email. "It is the beginning of a litigation process that permits both sides to be heard and to present evidence." 

Here's the thing. First, their coffee sucks. Second, I've only been in a Starbucks once, and that was to get a double espresso for six fuckin' dollars so I could stay awake when I was driving. Third, if the guy behind the counter ever talked to me about anything but my order, I'd jump the fucker and beat the living snot out of the guy. Juss' sayin'...

Starbucks Workers United, the group behind the unionization effort, said the complaint "confirms the extent and depravity of Starbucks' conduct in Western New York for the better part of a year."

"Starbucks is finally being held accountable for the union-busting rampage they went on," Danny Rojas, a fired shift supervisor, said in a statement. "Starbucks needs to understand that it is morally corrupt to retaliate against union leaders, and I am looking forward to the NLRB forcing Starbucks to make this moment right."

Last month, federal labor officials asked a judge to force Starbucks to reinstate three union activists at its Phoenix location, alleging the coffee giant engaged in unfair labor practices.

As of this week, workers at more than 250 U.S. stores have filed petitions with the labor board to hold union elections, labor organizers say. At least 50 of those stores have voted to unionize with Workers United, a branch of the Service Employees International Union.