STARBUCKS was accused of escalating its union-busting activities in the United States today after it sacked Cassie Fletcher, a leading organiser in the successful Workers United campaign in its Buffalo store.

Ms Fletcher was told by bosses that she “no longer met the needs of the business” because she was unable to open up her availability to work more hours.

She had worked at the Elmwood store in Buffalo, the first in the global coffee chain’s recent history to unionise in December last year.