|
Last week, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, who chairs a committee
on labor issues, and 10 other members of the committee asked
Schultz to answer by Feb. 14 whether he would take part.
Schultz, who re-joined Starbucks as interim CEO in April 2022,
will "fully transition" out of the role next month, said
Starbucks acting executive vice president and general counsel
Zabrina Jenkins in the letter.
"Given the timing of the transition, his relinquishment of any
operating role in the company going forward and what we
understand to be the subject of the hearing, we believe another
senior leader with ongoing responsibilities is best suited to
address these matters," Jenkins wrote.
Sanders, who last month took over as chair of the Health,
Education Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, said last week
Starbucks "has fought their workers every step of the way,
including refusing to bargain a first contract in good faith,
delay tactics, and a significant escalation in union busting."
Sanders' office did not immediately comment on Starbucks'
letter.
Starbucks said executive vice president and chief public affairs
officer AJ Jones II is available and is the best person to
address workforce policy matters. Jones is a former senior aide
to Democratic Representative James Clyburn.
Starbucks Workers United has won elections at more than 260 U.S.
stores and has lost about 70 elections since late 2021. The
union is seeking increased pay and benefits, improved health and
safety conditions and protections against unfair firings and
discipline.
Starbucks says it respects the right of its employees to
organize and to engage in lawful union activities. The company
says it has held more than 80 single-store contract bargaining
sessions since October.
(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Shri Navaratnam and
Jacqueline Wong)
[© 2023 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
|
|
