Howard Schultz, Starbucks founder and interim CEO, agreed to testify before the Senate HELP Committee on March 29, after being threatened with a subpoena. Schultz is likely to face intense questioning regarding union organizing campaigns against Starbucks and the slew of unfair labor practice allegations it currently faces.
Background: Starbucks has faced an extensive and highly-publicized union organizing campaign over the last year. The company has also been the subject of a number of unfair labor practice allegations - some involving comments made by CEO Schultz – at the NLRB, with some involving court-ordered injunctions against the company. Sen. Sanders, Chair of the Senate HELP Committee, began targeting Schultz for a hearing a few months ago. Schultz initially refused to appear before agreeing to testify earlier this week.
Spotlight coming for more companies and executives: Schultz is unlikely to be the last executive to be targeted by Sen. Sanders and the HELP Committee. Sen. Sanders often uses committee hearings to put the spotlight on high-profile companies – the Committee’s next scheduled hearing focuses on Moderna, for example. Large companies, particularly those who, like Starbucks, may be the subject of union organizing campaigns or unfair labor practice allegations, may find themselves facing similar threats of subpoena. Sen. Sanders has also previously targeted companies with significant federal contracts or who receive federal funding. Indeed, several such companies have already received initial inquiries from the Committee.