Mar 30, 2023
Starbucks' Howard Schultz denies union busting
Former Starbucks chief executive, Howard Schultz, has denied union busting in his most pointed public comments yet on the ongoing dispute between labour unions and the coffee giant in the US. Labour officials have repeatedly found that the firm has broken federal laws in its response, including wrongfully firing workers. "Those are allegations and Starbucks has not broken the law," Mr Schultz said, adding that the disputes were still being litigated. Mr Schultz, who led the company for years and returned as chief executive last year, defended its practices, saying the union represented a tiny fraction of the company's more than 9,000 US stores and the firm had a right to share its preference that it have a "Direct relationship" with its staff. Mr Schultz, who remains a Starbucks board member, later challenged lawmakers: "Are you aware of a union contract that has those benefits?". Democrats pressed Mr Schultz to explain why union members and the company have yet to agree contracts and refused to extend raises and other perks granted to non-union staff last year.
Related companies
Make a complaint about Starbucks by viewing their customer service contacts.
