NEW YORK Reuters -- Four U.S. Senators have asked Starbucks to disclose how much Starbucks has spent lawyers and consulting fees to counter the growing union membership at hundreds of its locations in the United States. Senators Elizabeth Warren, Ed Markey and Richard Blumenthal, both Democrats and independent Bernie Sanders, who caucuses with Democrats, sent a letter late Tuesday to Starbucks Corp Chief Executive Officer Howard Schultz and its board of directors.
According to a copy of the letter seen by the Associated Press, they cited reports that Starbucks is engaging in illegal union-busting tactics and asked Starbucks to respond within a month.
In response to the letter, Starbucks said that they were confident in our stringent compliance with federal labor law, and we appreciate every opportunity to share the facts and address inaccuracies about our company and partners.
In the past year, about 245 of Starbucks' nearly 9,000 company-owned U.S. locations have voted to unionize. The Senators said they want to see the guidance that Starbucks gave to managers about how to deal with workers organizing unions, and whether spending expenditures to counter unions were listed in its tax filings. They also asked for a list of changes the Seattle-based chain has made to benefits for non-unionized employees. The company has boosted benefits - including expanded coverage for adoption services on Monday - but only for employees not in a union. Warren said in emailed comments to Reuters that Starbucks is weaponizing benefits and wage increases to discourage workers from organizing. Bargaining is tentatively set to begin on various stores this month.
In August, the National Labor Relations Board accused Starbucks of illegally withholding raises from unionized workers.
Starbucks said on a company blog that labor law requires it to negotiate any changes in benefits or working conditions with the union representing those employees.