+

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

Business Insider India has updated its Privacy and Cookie policy. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the better experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we\'ll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the Business Insider India website. However, you can change your cookie setting at any time by clicking on our Cookie Policy at any time. You can also see our Privacy Policy.

Close
HomeQuizzoneWhatsappShare Flash Reads
 

Starbucks is advertising for an in-house lawyer with experience in 'strike contingency planning' amid increased unionization efforts

Apr 12, 2022, 02:46 IST
Business Insider
Michelle Eisen, a barista at the Buffalo, NY, Elmwood Starbucks location, the first Starbuck location to unionize.AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin
  • Starbucks is hiring for three positions related to labor and worker relations.
  • This comes amid continued unionization from local stores.
Advertisement

Starbucks appears to be suiting up to deal with labor unions.

In a Wednesday job posting, Starbucks said it was looking for a director of corporate counsel for labor with experience in "strike contingency planning."

Intercept reporter Ken Klippenstein pointed out the posting in a tweet.

The company seems to be ramping up its corporate union management as local stores continue to unionize. On Friday, the Wall Street Journal reported that Frank Britt would come to Starbucks and focus on worker relations, its first chief strategy officer since 2018.

The labor counsel description adds that it is looking for someone with "demonstrated experience in negotiating collective bargaining agreements," and working with the National Labor Relations Board.

Advertisement

"You will lead the development and implementation of the Company's labor relations strategies, as well as provide legal counsel to our business units in the United States and Canada on all aspects of traditional labor law," the description said.

On Monday, the company posted another labor-related position for employee "experience and engagement communications."

This person will work on communications related to "approach and strategy for Starbucks advocacy and labor relations," the description said.

It added that the company is looking for a "media hound" with a "passion for crisis communications."

Six New York locations voted to join the Starbucks Workers United union last week, and the Journal said that over 180 out of 9,000 corporate-owned stores have petitioned to hold union elections.

Advertisement

Howard Schultz rejoined the company he helped found nearly 40 years abo as interim CEO after Kevin Johnson stepped down.

"No partner has ever needed to have a representative seek to obtain things we all have as partners at Starbucks. And I am saddened and concerned to hear anyone thinks that is needed now," Schultz wrote to employees in 2021 amid a union movement in Buffalo, New York.

In his first Town Hall meeting since re-assuming the mantle of CEO, Insider reported, he said the chain was "being assaulted by the threat of unionization."

Even though union membership in the US is down, from 20% in 1983 to 10.3% in 2021, per Pew Research, the labor movement has seen some high-profile additions of late, in the form of the first unionized Amazon warehouse earlier this month, Starbucks retail stores, and media.

Starbucks did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Advertisement
You are subscribed to notifications!
Looks like you've blocked notifications!
Next Article