Howard Schultz rolls out wage boost for Starbucks workers as union efforts gain steam

Starbucks Corp. (Nasdaq: SBUX) interim CEO Howard Schultz, in his first call with investors since returning to the company's helm last month, made his biggest public effort yet to tamp down unionization efforts.

Schultz rolled out a slate of new barista benefits, including an additional $200 million in investments toward wage increases, store equipment and training, plus other incentives. He said the benefits would only be available to employees at nonunion stores.

"We must reintroduce joy in the customer and emotional connection back into the partner experience," Schutlz said. "We do not have the same freedom to make these improvements at locations that had a union or where union organizing is underway."

Since returning to the Seattle-based coffee giant in April, Schultz has sought to create a new employee experience at Starbucks, reflecting the company's effort to combat the growing union push.

https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2022/05/03/starbucks-q2-earnings-schultz-wage-boost-unions.html