The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Thursday issued a consolidated complaint and a notice of hearing against an Augusta, Maine, Chipotle. The complaint alleges that the facility illegally discriminated against employees for filing a union representation petition with the NLRB. The order requires the Maine facility to re-open and re-hire the store’s former employees. It also stipulates that Chipotle must bargain in good faith with the union, Chipotle United. Pursuant to the order, Chipotle must post a notice of the decision in all of its facilities in the United States.

In June, workers at the Augusta Chipotle walked off the job over perceived unsafe employment conditions. In response, Chipotle temporarily closed the store for “training purposes.” On June 22, The employees filed a representation petition to the NLRB, requesting recognition of Chipotle United. On July 19, Chipotle closed the store permanently. In the complaint, the NLRB explicitly states that Chipotle shuttered the store because “employees supported and assisted the union.” In addition, the NLRB found that Chipotle broke the law by blacklisting employees of the Maine facility from being hired at a nearby Chipotle. Chipotle vigorously denied any wrongdoing.

The decision comes amidst a wave of unionization taking place in the United States. Other employers in similar industries, such as Starbucks, have a seen a rapid rise in unionization within their stores. On August 31, 2021, the first Starbucks store voted for unionization. As of November 1, 2022, 245 stores have voted for unionization.