At HELP Hearing on Starbucks Union Busting, Senator Murray Makes Clear: Federal Labor Laws are Not Optional

Statement

"I've listened carefully, and throughout your testimony, you've made it very clear that Starbucks prefers its workers not to be unionized," began Senator Murray during her questioning. "But I think you know that decision is up to workers under federal law. I just have been disappointed, I have to tell you. I've been hearing about some of the widespread anti-union efforts at Starbucks, including in Washington state where the NLRB has certified 19 elections--as you know--at Starbucks stores, they have issued 71 complaints covering 31 unfair labor practice charges, and NLRB judges have issued two decisions now finding that Starbucks violated federal law. So let me just ask you a simple question, do you agree that it is workers who get to decide whether they want a union?"

Senator Murray went on to press Schultz on reports that Starbucks has denied union workers benefits like credit card tipping and created uncertainty about the ability of union employees to receive specific benefits, like health insurance and abortion travel benefits.

"I am hearing from a number of folks really troubling reports about Starbucks refusing to allow credit card tipping, cutting employee hours, holding the loss of critical benefits like health care insurance and gender-affirming care over the heads of employees trying to exercise their rights," continued Senator Murray. "I've even heard reports, so you know, about uncertainty for union employees about whether or not they would receive abortion travel benefits which all your workers receive. I'm concerned when I hear from my constituents about unfair threats of any kind or denying benefits unfairly--even when the union agrees to waive its right to bargain. I would assume you would agree that that doesn't constitute treating someone with dignity or respect if they are being threatened?"

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