Starbucks says 16 stores closing over safety

Starbucks is closing 16 stores around the country because of repeated safety issues, including drug use and other disruptive behaviors that threaten staff.The coffee giant is closing six stores in its hometown of Seattle, six in Los Angeles, two in Portland, Oregon and one each in Philadelphia and Washington. Starbucks said employees at those stores will be given the opportunity to transfer to other stores.Starbucks said Tuesday the closures are part of a larger effort to respond to staff concerns and make sure stores are safe and welcoming.But the company also faced criticism from some workers who said they weren't consulted or given any options besides closure.

Mari Cosgrove, Starbucks worker said "And in our case, we are a unionized store, just like Ithaca, New York College Avenue store. And they don't have jobs right now. So I can't, in good faith, be confident that we will come the 31st."

Starbucks Workers United, the labor group organizing the effort, said it filed unfair labor practice charges against Starbucks on behalf of the two unionized stores that are closing in Seattle.But Starbucks insisted the closures weren't related to the unionization drive.U.S. labor law doesn't prevent Starbucks from closing its stores for business reasons. But it can't close a store — whether it's unionized or not — in retaliation against labor organizers.