Howard Schultz returns to Starbucks as CEO

Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz makes a temporary return to the role of CEO that he left 13 years ago as the company faces unionisation challenges. 

Schultz spent 30 years at a Seattle-based company helping to grow from 11 stores to a global brand with over 28,000 locations. The company emphasized that the position is voluntary and Schultz will receive a $1 reward.

He is replacing president and CEO Kevin Johnson, who has left after the company faces a growing demand for unionisation among its employees. More than 160 Starbucks locations have filed petitions with the National Labor Relations Board to hold union elections.

In a November letter to employees released shortly before the first union vote, he talked about his efforts to provide strong benefits for healthcare, tuition, parental leave and stock benefits to employees.

But some organisers have complained that the company does not favour employees and instead provides them with inconsistent work hours, poor training, understaffing and low wages. Others point to the early days of the company and claim that Schultz took a strong anti-union stance after he ascended to his post as the CEO of the company.