Bernie Sanders accused the company of stalling efforts to reach a contract with workers who first voted to unionize in late 2021.
“The fundamental issue we are confronting today is whether we have a system of justice that applies to all, or whether billionaires and large corporations can break the law with impunity,” Sanders said.
Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz said the company already provides its workers with industry-leading wages and benefits.Schultz denied the company has broken the law and said Starbucks is appealing those charges. Schultz said Starbucks respects workers’ right to unionize, but believes the company already provides its workers with industry-leading wages and benefits.He said that Starbucks’ average starting wage is $17.50, while the minimum wage in Vermont is $13.18.
“I think unions have served an important role in American business for many years. In the ’50s and ’60s, unions generally were working on behalf of people in a company where people haven’t been treated fairly,” Schultz said. “We do not believe that we are that kind of company. We do nothing nefarious. We put our people first.”
Sanders has 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.but remains on the company’s board, was instrumental in setting the company’s policies. Under threat of a subpoena, Schultz appeared before the committee.At least 293 of Starbucks’ 9,000 company-owned US Starbucks stores have voted to unionize, according to the NLRB.
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