DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

REUTERS/Julia NikhinsonWASHINGTON/NEW YORK, March 29 (Reuters) - Starbucks' former Chief Executive Howard Schultz defended himself and the coffee chain against allegations of "union busting" at a U.S. Senate committee hearing in Washington on Wednesday. Senator Bernie Sanders, Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, told Schultz that "Starbucks has waged the most aggressive and illegal union busting campaign in the modern history of our country." "These are allegations and Starbucks has not broken the law," Schultz told Sanders during the hearing. His return to Starbucks as its interim leader in April 2022 was "95% focused on the operations of the business" and his involvement in the company's union strategy has been "de minimis," Schultz said. Republicans defended Schultz, praising the company's competitive wages, health benefits, employee stock purchase program and other benefits.

[1/2] Starbucks Chairman and CEO Howard Schultz looks on during its Annual Meeting of Shareholders in Seattle, Washington March 21, 2012. Senators blasted ex-Starbucks Chief Executive Howard Schultz on Wednesday over the company's "union busting" when he was at the helm. Starbucks has denied allegations that it illegally fired pro-union baristas or spied on workers as hundreds of stores organized unions starting in late 2021. "These are allegations and Starbucks has not broken the law," Schultz told Sanders during the hearing. His return to Starbucks as its interim leader in April 2022 was "95% focused on the operations of the business" and his involvement in the company's union strategy has been "de minimis," Schultz said.

☆ Starbucks is probably 'the best first job in America,' former CEO says as Congress probes the chain's treatment of unions
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( Aidan Pollard | Alex Bitter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Starbucks is "one of the best, if not the best, first job in America," former CEO Howard Schultz said. "Starbucks is probably one of the best, if not the best, first job in America." "It's unprecedented, and that's why Starbucks doesn't need a union," Schultz said. But Wednesday's hearing showed that some current and former Starbucks employees don't agree with that assessment. Jaysin Saxton, a former Starbucks barista who lost his job in August at a Starbucks in Augusta, Georgia, also spoke at the hearing.

Last year, Eckroth won the U.S. Barista Championships and placed second at the World Barista Championships. "I've experienced my biggest moments of growth, both professionally and also personally, emotionally ... in competition," Eckroth says. Here's how she turned her love of coffee into a six-figure career — and what it even means to be a competitive barista. On the competition grindA year after Eckroth started as a barista, she found a YouTube video of a competitive routine at the U.S. Barista Championships. Eckhart says she spent 170 hours over two months practicing for the 2022 U.S. Barista Championships.

☆ Starbucks’ Union Fight Moves to Congress
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-28 | by ( Heather Haddon | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Starbucks Corp. and chain baristas are more than 18 months into a fight over unionizing cafes at the world’s largest coffee company. Neither side has gotten all that they wanted. Starbucks has managed to slow down new union petitions over the last year and a half. But the push has cost it operationally and financially, some company executives and labor attorneys say. Starbucks said it has spent millions of dollars on lawyers to oversee union elections, fight litigation and represent itself before the National Labor Relations Board, the federal body that oversees labor matters between U.S. companies and workers.

☆ Starbucks, union at odds over hybrid negotiations
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

March 28 (Reuters) - Starbucks Corp (SBUX.O), which has faced criticism over its opposition to union organizing, said the labor union representing some of its stores has rejected in-person bargaining sessions and is insisting on hybrid negotiations. Starbucks Workers United, which represents thousands of U.S. baristas at about 200 cafes, conducted unauthorized virtual broadcasts of bargaining sessions without prior agreement from all parties, Starbucks said in a statement to Reuters on Monday. "Workers United is asking for a seat at the table, we're simply encouraging them take their seat in-person at the negotiating table, as required, to move the bargaining process forward," the company said. This comes after National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) prosecutors alleged that Starbucks violated labor law by refusing to engage in bargaining if some workers were attending remotely via videoconference, according to a Bloomberg report. "Now that it's clear we have the right to bargain using a virtual component, we hope Starbucks is ready, too," Tyler Keeling, a leader of the Starbucks Workers United in California said.

☆ How an elite brigade of Russian marines was repeatedly mauled in Ukraine and became an emblem of the invasion's failures
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-27 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

An elite brigade within Russia's military is a shadow of itself after taking huge losses in Ukraine. In many ways, the journey of the 155th reflects the larger struggles of the Russian military, which entered Ukraine expecting a quick victory but has instead suffered embarrassing setbacks. Baev said that its members are supposed to be better trained and more professional than other parts of the Russian military, which can rely on conscripts. And, as the fighting dragged and more marines died, the Russian military kept reinforcing the 155th with fresh recruits, which brought its own problems. Yet earlier this month Ukraine claimed that commanders in the brigade were refusing to fight near the city of Vuhledar.

☆ Starbucks shareholders to vote on proposals for labor probe, succession planning
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Shareholder votes aren't binding, so the board can reject proposals even if a majority of investors vote in favor. More than 190 company-owned Starbucks locations have voted to unionize under Starbucks Workers United, according to National Labor Relations Board data as of Friday. Members of a recently formed union of Starbucks workers hold a rally to celebrate the first anniversary of their founding, December 9, 2022 in New York City. Apple, unlike Starbucks, agreed to perform the assessment without waiting for a shareholder vote. But Trillium has more than two decades of experience putting shareholder proposals before Starbucks' board.

☆ Starbucks CEO says he'll work a shift at the company's cafes once a month
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Starbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan told employees Thursday that he'll work a half day every month at one of the coffee giant's locations. Narasimhan took the helm on Monday and will lead the company's shareholder meeting Thursday. His pledge comes at a rocky time for the company's relationship with its baristas. As of Friday, more than 190 company-owned Starbucks locations have voted to unionize, according to National Labor Relations Board data. Before joining Starbucks, Narasimhan was chief executive of Reckitt, which owns brands like Lysol and Durex.

☆ New Starbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan takes over nearly two weeks earlier than expected
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Starbucks on Monday said that Laxman Narasimhan has officially become CEO, nearly two weeks earlier than expected. After being named incoming CEO in September, Narasimhan has spent months learning about Starbucks' business, including training as a barista. Schultz returned nearly a year ago after former CEO Kevin Johnson surprised investors by announcing his retirement. Since Schultz returned April 4, Starbucks stock has risen nearly 8%, bringing its market value to $113 billion. In September, Schultz told CNBC that he's never planning on coming back as Starbucks' chief executive again.

☆ Starbucks’s Howard Schultz to Testify About Union Activity Before Senate Committee
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( Heather Haddon | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Starbucks Corp. interim Chief Executive Howard Schultz has agreed to testify before a Senate committee, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders said Tuesday, the latest development in the 18-month conflict between the company and U.S. baristas seeking to unionize. Mr. Sanders, an Independent who is chairman of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, has accused the company of flouting federal labor laws, allegations that the company denies. Mr. Sanders has alleged that Starbucks, under Mr. Schultz’s leadership, has “done everything possible to prevent” unionization and collective-bargaining efforts.

☆ Costa Coffee raises UK staff pay for third time in a year
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, March 6 (Reuters) - Costa Coffee has followed rival Pret A Manger in raising pay for its British store staff for the third time in a year. The UK government-mandated National Living Wage will rise to 10.42 pounds an hour from April, an increase of 9.7%. Costa Coffee said its latest rise takes the increase over the last 12 months to over 14%. Rival Pret announced another pay rise for its staff last week, while food retailers Tesco (TSCO.L), Asda and Marks & Spencer (MKS.L) have also all recently announced increases. Costa Coffee said it also provides workers with a store performance related bonus, free drinks while on shift and a 50% staff discount.

☆ Sen. Bernie Sanders calls vote on subpoena for Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Sen. Bernie Sanders is making good on his threat of a subpoena for Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz on what Sanders has called union-busting activity at the company's coffee shops. Sanders said Wednesday that the Senate's Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee will vote March 8 on whether to issue a subpoena for Schultz, who previously declined to appear in front of the committee. Sanders said in a statement that Schultz has denied meeting and document requests and refused to answer questions from him and his fellow senators. "Unfortunately, Mr. Schultz has given us no choice, but to subpoena him," Sanders said in a statement. In response, Sanders, who chairs the Senate committee, hinted that lawmakers could compel Schultz to appear by issuing a subpoena.

[1/3] Starbucks workers attend a rally as they go on a one-day strike outside a store in Buffalo, New York, U.S., November 17, 2022. Employees at more than 280 out of its roughly 9,000 company operated U.S. locations have voted to join a labor union since 2021. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has accused Starbucks of unlawful anti-union tactics at stores across the country, including allegedly firing pro-union workers. ISS concluded that "there seem to be credible reasons that may lend support to various accusations" raised by Workers United, the NLRB and Starbucks. Starbucks also said it "commenced efforts to conduct a human rights impact assessment" including labor rights, and that it expects to make the results available to shareholders.

☆ Ticket for Coffee Shop Frustration: Ordering Black Coffee
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( Heather Haddon | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Alex Wicker is used to odd looks from baristas when he stops by his local coffee shop. His order is unusual: black coffee. “Asking for just ‘coffee’ with no added context, without going through a round of 20 questions with the server, has become impossible at this point,” said Mr. Wicker, a 23-year-old student from Shelbyville, Ind.

☆ Stump Your Barista—Order Black Coffee
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-26 | by ( Heather Haddon | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Alex Wicker is used to odd looks from baristas when he stops by his local coffee shop. His order is unusual: black coffee. “Asking for just ‘coffee’ with no added context, without going through a round of 20 questions with the server, has become impossible at this point,” said Alex Wicker, a 23-year-old student from Shelbyville, Ind.

☆ Starbucks’ new drinks have a spoonful of olive oil in every cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

There’s an Oleato latte with oat milk and olive oil, an Oleato ice shaken espresso with oat milk, hazelnut flavor and olive oil, and the Oleato golden foam cold brew, made with a version of Starbucks’ sweet milk foam infused with two olive oil servings. Starbucks Oleato drinks are made with exra virgin olive oil. Coming full circleLast year Schultz met olive oil producer Tommaso Asaro, who introduced him to the practice of consuming a tablespoon of olive oil each day. “He thought it was a little strange.” Asaro is the chairman of United Olive Oil, through which Starbucks is sourcing its olive oil. Howard Schultz and Tommaso Asaro, chairman of United Olive Oil, which produces the Partanna olive oil that Starbucks is using for Oleato.

☆ Howard Schultz: Unions ‘a manifestation of a much bigger problem’
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

New York CNN —Fifteen years ago, Howard Schultz reprised his role as Starbucks CEO, returning to the helm to help put the struggling company back on course. Even before he officially rejoined the company, Schultz was already alarmed by the union push. In the months since returning as CEO, Schultz has doubled down on his opposition to the union. “The fact that Starbucks workers are continuing to organize and win shows just how much workers need and desire a union,” Starbucks Workers United said in a statement to CNN. As a CEO, Schultz has been responding “very typically,” Givan said, in how strongly he’s opposed the union.

☆ TikTok stirs up Starbucks workforce solutions
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NEW YORK, Feb 21 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Starbucks (SBUX.O) is embracing the buzz. The coffee chain filed a new patent for a machine to help customize complicated beverages, according to a Business Insider report on Monday. Incoming Chief Executive Laxman Narasimhan faces staffers increasingly eager to unionize just as U.S. labor shortages hover at highs. It is therefore hardly surprising that $123 billion Starbucks wants to streamline drink-making processes. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

☆ Starbucks filed a fresh patent for a machine which could create the highly personalized, super complex drinks staff are so sick of making for customers
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-20 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Starbucks filed a fresh patent for a machine that enables workers to make customized drinks quicker. Modifications drive customers to Starbucks and bring in high profits, but cause headaches for staff. When Insider tested out ordering a customized Starbucks drink online, syrups were the pricier option, costing up to 80 cents to add on. Customers can also get rude when their customized drinks take a long time to make or aren't made perfectly, many baristas said. Customers could ask for a beverage to match their outfit, and these could be mapped by the machine, the patent said.

The American Express Centurion Lounge in Seattle has catapulted from the smallest lounge to one of the biggest. American ExpressThe American Express Centurion Lounge in Seattle has expanded from 4,000 square feet to nearly 14,000 square feet. American Express has expanded The Centurion® Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. However, this lounge brings to the table something no other Centurion Lounge offers: A full-service coffee bar, dubbed "Blue Roast by American Express." American ExpressWhat to know about the Seattle American Express Centurion LoungeThe Amex Centurion Lounge network continues to improve by adding new locations and expanding current ones.

☆ Bernie Sanders hints at subpoena for Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Sen. Bernie Sanders hinted that lawmakers could subpoena Howard Schultz to compel the outgoing Starbucks CEO to testify in front of a Senate panel about how the coffee chain is handling its baristas' push to unionize. "One way or another, he will be there," Sanders, a pro-union Vermont independent, told reporters on Capitol Hill. Sanders, who chairs the Senate's Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, said in a statement Wednesday that he intends to hold Schultz and Starbucks accountable and looks forward to seeing Schultz appear before the committee. Schultz declined an invitation from 11 senators to appear at the March 9 hearing, Reuters first reported Tuesday evening. To date, regional offices of the federal labor board have issued 76 complaints against Starbucks, alleging illegal labor practices.

☆ Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz Hints at New Game-Changing Platform
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-02 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The Italian espresso culture inspired Howard Schultz 40 years ago as he built the Starbucks empire. In his final earnings call, Schultz hinted at a game-changing new "platform" coming to Starbucks later this month. Schultz said will travel to Milan later this month "to introduce something much bigger than any new promotion or beverage." "Eight of the ten highest sales days in our history [were] recorded in the quarter," Schultz said. On February 13, Starbucks plans to change its Starbucks Rewards program.

☆ As Wall Street drops drug-testing policies, could microdosing be next?
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-30 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Many big banks, in particular, maintained drug-testing policies for new hires as recently as a few years ago. But as the public appetite, and market, for drugs like psychedelics continues to rise, it'll be interesting to see how Wall Street responds. Click here to get the latest on the drug-testing policies at Wall Street's biggest banks. More on Solomon's salary adjustment and how it compares with other Wall Street leaders. Turns out FTX might owe top Wall Street banks some money.

Many major companies are requiring employees to return to the office full or part time. Here's a list, in alphabetical order, of major companies requiring employees to return to offices. AppleIn August, senior leaders told workers they had to return to the office at least three days a week. Read more: Elon Musk tells Twitter employees to return to the office or their resignations will be accepted10. Read more: Uber CEO's internal memo mandates employees return to the office in April.

Search resuls for: "baristas"

25 mentions found