[US] Bernie Sanders preparing subpoena for Starbucks CEO

In the US, Senator Bernie Sanders is moving to subpoena Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz to face lawmakers’ questions about the company’s labour practices, Politico reports.

The summons - which will need committee approval - comes in the wake of a wave of union-organising efforts at the coffee giant’s stores. Union leaders, the National Labor Relations Board and Democratic lawmakers have all accused Starbucks of using illegal tactics to ward off unionisation. The company has denied the accusations.

Starbucks reportedly declined an earlier request from Senator Sanders for Mr Schultz to voluntarily appear before the committee that oversees labour issues.

“He has denied meeting and document requests, skirted congressional oversight attempts, and refused to answer any of the serious questions we have asked,” Senator Sanders said in a statement. “Unfortunately, Mr Schultz has given us no choice, but to subpoena him.”

The Senate HELP Committee, which Bernie Sanders leads, will vote on the subpoena on March 8.

According to a statement from Senator Sanders’ office, the committee will also vote on whether to authorise an investigation into “major corporations’ labour law violations.”

The votes will be followed by a hearing on union organising that is reportedly set to include testimony from several labour leaders, among them AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler.

In February, Starbucks declined to have Mr Schultz testify for a hearing scheduled for March 9. Senator Sanders and committee Democrats asked him to speak about the company’s compliance with federal labour law and its treatment of pro-union workers.

Starbucks offered its chief public affairs officer and executive vice president, AJ Jones, instead of Mr Schultz, citing the CEO’s planned departure from the position.

Source: Politico

(Quote via original reporting)

In the US, Senator Bernie Sanders is moving to subpoena Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz to face lawmakers’ questions about the company’s labour practices, Politico reports.

The summons - which will need committee approval - comes in the wake of a wave of union-organising efforts at the coffee giant’s stores. Union leaders, the National Labor Relations Board and Democratic lawmakers have all accused Starbucks of using illegal tactics to ward off unionisation. The company has denied the accusations.

Starbucks reportedly declined an earlier request from Senator Sanders for Mr Schultz to voluntarily appear before the committee that oversees labour issues.

“He has denied meeting and document requests, skirted congressional oversight attempts, and refused to answer any of the serious questions we have asked,” Senator Sanders said in a statement. “Unfortunately, Mr Schultz has given us no choice, but to subpoena him.”

The Senate HELP Committee, which Bernie Sanders leads, will vote on the subpoena on March 8.

According to a statement from Senator Sanders’ office, the committee will also vote on whether to authorise an investigation into “major corporations’ labour law violations.”

The votes will be followed by a hearing on union organising that is reportedly set to include testimony from several labour leaders, among them AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler.

In February, Starbucks declined to have Mr Schultz testify for a hearing scheduled for March 9. Senator Sanders and committee Democrats asked him to speak about the company’s compliance with federal labour law and its treatment of pro-union workers.

Starbucks offered its chief public affairs officer and executive vice president, AJ Jones, instead of Mr Schultz, citing the CEO’s planned departure from the position.

Source: Politico

(Quote via original reporting)