…
Howard Schultz – It wasn’t always like it is now, but Starbucks has grown to become one of the top coffee businesses in the US.
The coffee business had a financial crisis in 2008 that devastated every other sector of the economy.
Former CEO of Starbucks from 1987 until 2000, Howard Schultz, had returned to assist the business.
He led Starbucks as CEO for over ten years until giving over the reins to Kevin Johnson, after being responsible for getting the business back on its feet.
Johnson did, however, leave the office in March 2022, which led to Schultz’s comeback.
He handled a rising unionization dilemma, another Starbucks crisis, last year.
An ominous sign for Starbucks
Howard Schultz spoke with CNN’s Poppy Harlow in February on the development of the union, its ties to China, and the American economy.
Schultz made it clear that the union’s efforts had nothing to do with his return to the company.
He did admit, however, that the labor movement was a preview of changes to come at Starbucks.
“It’s my belief that the efforts of unionization in America are in many ways a manifestation of a much bigger problem,” said Schultz.
“There is a macro issue here that is much, much bigger than Starbucks.”
Five months before his return, in December 2021, the first Starbucks chain to unionize cast a vote.
Moreover, Howard Schultz declared that he will serve as the company’s acting CEO for a third and last time.
Even so, Schultz was concerned about the unionization campaign before he returned to the business.
He addressed an open letter to the “partners,” the term the firm uses for its employees, a month before the first Starbucks chain voted.
“No partner has ever needed to have a representative seek to obtain things we all have as partners at Starbucks.”
“I am saddened and concerned to hear anyone thinks that is needed now.”
A fight for rights
Workers that are unionized continue to struggle for a number of reasons notwithstanding the letter, such as fixed schedules, preserving benefits for part-timers, and more.
The union also wants the business to formally adopt the fair election principles in order to safeguard employees’ freedom to organize without fear of reprisal.
Howard Schultz’s antipathy to the union has become stronger since resuming his duties as CEO.
The fight for unionization grew more heated during that time.
The corporation was accused by the union leadership of refusing to engage in formal negotiations, endangering their benefits, and engaging in union-busting tactics.
The claims have been refuted by Starbucks.
Charges from both sides
The union charged Starbucks with hundreds of unfair labor practices.
As a form of retaliation, the coffee company filed its own unfair labor charges against them, alleging that the union was impeding talks.
The NLRB discovered many instances when the business improperly intimidated and fired employees who were engaged in union activity.
Starbucks must discontinue the illegal practice of firing workers who support the union, according to a recent court ruling.
Read also: Job cuts and hiring creates headache for US market
The company contends that the action was unjustified and that it makes an effort to abide with the law.
Senator Bernie Sanders and members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee have requested testimony from Howard Schultz on the company’s adherence to labor rules for an upcoming hearing.
Starbucks’ chief public affairs officer AJ Jones II will attend the hearing as Schultz turned down the request.
The movement’s progress
In mid-February, the NLRB certified that 282 stores had voted in favor of unionization, while just 56 did not.
Just a small percentage of the nearly 9,3000 Starbucks chains run by American companies have opted to unionize.
The statistics show that most Starbucks partners are OK with the current state of affairs, according to Howard Schultz.
In any case, the union sees expansion as a show of support from the workforce.
“The fact that Starbucks workers are continuing to organize and win shows just how much workers need and desire a union,” said the union.
Starbucks has established a good reputation as a forward-thinking business throughout the years.
Howard Schultz had a key role in creating the impression by providing staff with:
- Company stock
- Employee health insurance
- Tuition reimbursement
While he prepares to leave his job as CEO, his image is put in jeopardy, in part because of the company’s hostility to the union.
Howard Schultz isn’t giving up despite the criticism.
Lost trust
When Howard Schultz returned to Starbucks in 2022, he spent time speaking with staff members during a “listening tour” to help him create a new business strategy.
He said that the business had become disorganized.
“I’ve talked to thousands of our Starbucks partners,” Schultz said.
“I was shocked, stunned to hear the loneliness, the anxiety, the fracturing of trust in government, fracturing of trust in companies, fracturing of trust in families, the lack of hope in terms of opportunity.”
According to Schultz, American businesses deal with unionizations because employees are more angry with the situation than the company.
