[US] Starbucks CEO refuses to appear at Senate labour law hearing

Starbucks’ Chief Executive Howard Schultz has declined an invitation from senators to testify on March 9 about the coffee giant's compliance with federal labour law, Reuters reports.

Last week, Senator Bernie Sanders - who chairs a committee on labour issues - and 10 other members of the committee issued the invitation and asked Mr Schultz to respond by February 14 as to whether he would take part.

In the response letter, seen by Reuters, Starbucks acting executive vice president and general counsel Zabrina Jenkins said Mr Schultz rejoined Starbucks as interim CEO in April 2022 and will "fully transition" out of the role next month.

"Given the timing of the transition, his relinquishment of any operating role in the company going forward and what we understand to be the subject of the hearing, we believe another senior leader with ongoing responsibilities is best suited to address these matters," Ms Jenkins wrote.

Mr Sanders took over as chair of the Health, Education Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee in January. On February 15 he said he intends "to hold Mr Schultz and Starbucks accountable for their unacceptable behavior and look forward to seeing him before our committee."

Mr Sanders said, "if Mr Schultz believes that a multibillion-dollar corporation like Starbucks can break federal labor law with impunity he is mistaken."

Starbucks said executive vice president and chief public affairs officer AJ Jones II is available to testify and is the best person to address workforce policy matters. Mr Jones is a former senior aide to Democratic Representative James Clyburn.

Starbucks Workers United has reportedly won elections at more than 260 US stores, losing about 70, since late 2021. The union is seeking increased pay and benefits, improved health and safety conditions and protections against unfair firings and discipline.

Starbucks has said it respects the right of its employees to organise and engage in lawful union activities. The company said it has held more than 80 single-store contract bargaining sessions since October.

Source: Reuters

(Link and quotes via original reporting)

Starbucks’ Chief Executive Howard Schultz has declined an invitation from senators to testify on March 9 about the coffee giant's compliance with federal labour law, Reuters reports.

Last week, Senator Bernie Sanders - who chairs a committee on labour issues - and 10 other members of the committee issued the invitation and asked Mr Schultz to respond by February 14 as to whether he would take part.

In the response letter, seen by Reuters, Starbucks acting executive vice president and general counsel Zabrina Jenkins said Mr Schultz rejoined Starbucks as interim CEO in April 2022 and will "fully transition" out of the role next month.

"Given the timing of the transition, his relinquishment of any operating role in the company going forward and what we understand to be the subject of the hearing, we believe another senior leader with ongoing responsibilities is best suited to address these matters," Ms Jenkins wrote.

Mr Sanders took over as chair of the Health, Education Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee in January. On February 15 he said he intends "to hold Mr Schultz and Starbucks accountable for their unacceptable behavior and look forward to seeing him before our committee."

Mr Sanders said, "if Mr Schultz believes that a multibillion-dollar corporation like Starbucks can break federal labor law with impunity he is mistaken."

Starbucks said executive vice president and chief public affairs officer AJ Jones II is available to testify and is the best person to address workforce policy matters. Mr Jones is a former senior aide to Democratic Representative James Clyburn.

Starbucks Workers United has reportedly won elections at more than 260 US stores, losing about 70, since late 2021. The union is seeking increased pay and benefits, improved health and safety conditions and protections against unfair firings and discipline.

Starbucks has said it respects the right of its employees to organise and engage in lawful union activities. The company said it has held more than 80 single-store contract bargaining sessions since October.

Source: Reuters

(Link and quotes via original reporting)