Schakowsky, Colleagues Demand Answers from Starbucks on Union-Busting, Intimidation, and Retaliation Against Employees
WASHINGTON - On Friday, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), a Senior Chief Deputy Whip and Chair of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee, and Congressman Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04), a member of the Congressional Labor Caucus, led 26 of their colleagues in a letter to Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz seeking clarification on the company's new policy reimbursing workers for travel expenses related to abortions.
"As Members of Congress who are committed to protecting the full scope of reproductive health care services—including abortion care—as well as the right of all workers to unionize, we urge you to immediately issue clear guidance on Starbucks' offer of travel assistance for abortion care and affirm that this benefit will be available to all employees regardless of union status," wrote the lawmakers.
Workers at nearly 250 Starbucks locations across 38 states have voted to join Starbucks Workers United, but in a June letter to employees, Starbucks said that they cannot ensure benefits for employees at unionized stores because contracts need to be negotiated.
"Starbucks has attempted to blame the collective bargaining process for its behavior and lack of assurance to all Starbucks employees. As the Starbucks legal team is undoubtedly aware, there is nothing barring the company from offering coverage for the full spectrum of reproductive health care for unionized employees," added the lawmakers.
The lawmakers are demanding that Schultz issue clear guidance on the abortion care benefit and they warn that if the company continues their "broad strategy of union-busting, intimidation, and retaliation against employees," they would look into ending any operating rights the company might have on federal properties.
"One of the worst aspects of Starbucks' anti-union war against workers is their threats that we could lose our benefits if we unionize," said Sarah Pappin, shift supervisor from the 1st & Pike store in Seattle, WA. "They are intentionally targeting the most vulnerable workers in our stores and holding benefits, like gender affirming care and college tuition, over our heads in an attempt to intimidate, threaten, and coerce us against unionizing."
Given the serious nature of these concerns, the lawmakers are requesting a response from Starbucks by November 28, 2022.
"While Starbucks has accused various outside groups of interfering with unionization efforts, it is Starbucks who appears to be weaponizing access to essential healthcare to intimidate and discourage employees from organizing," concluded the lawmakers.
Earlier this month, Starbucks closed a location in the Edgewater neighborhood of Chicago four days after its employees were scheduled to start bargaining for their first union contact.
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