Longtime Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz faced sharp questioning Wednesday before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee as he defended the company's actions during an ongoing unionizing campaign.
Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz drinks from a Starbucks mug as he testifies before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee, on March 29, 2023.
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Vermont Independent who has been a vocal supporter of Starbucks labor organizers, accused the company of stalling. He said federal courts and administrative judges at the NLRB have found Starbucks guilty of hundreds of labor law violations, including firing labor organizers and illegally closing unionized stores.
He noted that Starbucks' average starting wage is $17.50, while the minimum wage in Vermont is $13.18. Sen. Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican, questioned why customers are willing to pay $6 for a Starbucks latte, and said his family is satisfied with Maxwell House. But Starbucks still deserves respect, he said.Sen. Tina Smith, a Minnesota Democrat, questioned Schultz's respect for employees, noting that the company has refused to add new benefits ---- like credit card tipping or wage increases ---- at stores that have unionized. Schultz countered that those benefits are subject to bargaining.
Sanders had sought Schultz's testimony for months. Schultz had tried to sidestep the hearing, suggesting that others in the company were more deeply involved in labor matters.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Starbucks’ Howard Schultz defends union stance as he faces sharp questions from U.S. lawmakersLong-time Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz denied the company has broken the law and said Starbucks is appealing those charges
Read more »
Former Starbucks CEO to tell U.S. lawmakers that coffee chain has engaged in ‘good faith bargaining’Former CEO Howard Schultz will face questions about what critics say are Starbucks’ illegal anti-union practices during an appearance before a U.S. Senate committee today
Read more »
Hitmen's Fiddler-Schultz, Yakemchuk earn WHL divisional all-star nodsCalgary Hitmen forward Riley Fiddler\u002DSchultz and defenceman Carter Yakemchuk have been named to this season’s Western Hockey League Central Division all\u002Dstar…
Read more »
Hitmen's Fiddler-Schultz, Yakemchuk earn WHL divisional all-star nodsCalgary Hitmen forward Riley Fiddler\u002DSchultz and defenceman Carter Yakemchuk have been named to this season’s Western Hockey League Central Division all\u002Dstar…
Read more »
Murder charge laid after man stabbed outside Vancouver Starbucks diesUpdated: A 32-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder after the victim of a stabbing outside a downtown Vancouver Starbucks died in hospital.
Read more »
First Indigenous-run Starbucks in Canada to open near Campbell RiverCoffee outlet near Campbell River will give the We Wai Kai Nation the chance to create a self\u002Dreliant economy, says Chief Ronnie Chickite.
Read more »