Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) (L), Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz
Reuters (L) | Getty Images (R)
Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz has agreed to testify within the U.S. Senate on the alleged breakup of the cafe chain’s union after pressure from Senator Bernie Sanders.
The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Work and Pensions, or HELP, was as a result of vote Wednesday morning on whether to summon Schultz, who had previously refused to look. Sanders, a Democratic Socialist representing Vermont, serves as committee chairman.
Schultz is now scheduled to look in court on March 29.
“I look ahead to hearing from Mr. Schultz when he intends to finish his illegal anti-union activities and start signing fair first deals with unions,” Sanders said in a Tuesday statement.
In February, Starbucks’ general counsel wrote in a letter seen by CNBC that since Schultz is stepping down as interim CEO in March, it might make more sense for an additional senior leader with current responsibilities to testify. Newcomer Laxman Narasimhan is anticipated to take over as chief executive in April.
“With the agreement reached today, our testimony will be designed to raised understand our partner-first culture and priorities, including our industry-leading advantages offerings and our long-standing commitment to fostering shared success for all partners,” Starbucks said in a press release.
As of Tuesday, 290 Starbucks locations had voted in favor of reunification, in response to the National Labor Relations Board. Greater than a 12 months after Starbucks Employees United won its first election, none of the stores have yet agreed to sign with Starbucks.
Since Schultz returned to the helm of the corporate last April, Starbucks has taken a more aggressive approach to opposing union pressure. The union has filed greater than 500 allegations of unfair labor practices with the NLRB, including allegations of retaliation and store closures. The corporate also raised wages and improved advantages for unaffiliated staff.
Starbucks has filed greater than 100 complaints of its own against the union, alleging bullying and harassment.