Lawmakers Urge Starbucks to Resume Union Talks Amid Renewed Labor Tensions

Twenty-six U.S. senators and 82 House representatives have written to Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol, urging the coffee giant to resume negotiations with Starbucks Workers United, the union representing nearly 9,500 employees. The letters, led by Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Pramila Jayapal, accused the company of returning to “union busting” tactics and called for fair contract bargaining. No Republican lawmakers signed the letters, which were sent separately by Senate and House members on Monday.

Talks between Starbucks and the union, which began in April last year, have stalled amid mutual accusations over who ended negotiations. Starbucks said the union represents only 4% of its workforce and maintained that it already provides industry-leading benefits, including healthcare, parental leave, and tuition assistance. Meanwhile, the union has filed over 100 charges against the company since December, alleging retaliation against organizing baristas and other unfair labor practices.

The lawmakers noted Starbucks’ financial capacity to reach an equitable agreement, highlighting its multibillion-dollar stock buybacks and CEO Niccol’s $95 million compensation package. The union has warned of potential strikes across more than 25 cities starting November 13, coinciding with the company’s high-sales “Red Cup Day,” if no deal is reached. Starbucks has been struggling to reverse declining sales, recently closing over 600 stores, including its flagship unionized outlet in Seattle, as part of its broader restructuring effort.

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