Starbucks CEO plans to work as a barista once per month

His move to work alongside the rank-and-file baristas comes as the company battles nationwide efforts to unionize.

By Ben Whedon

Published: March 24, 2023 3:25pm

Starbuck's new CEO plans to work as a barista in company stores once per month as he steps into the shoes of his predecessor, Howard Schultz.

Laxman Narasimhan succeeds Schultz ahead of a scheduled Senate hearing in which the he will testify to claims of union busting at the company. Schultz has opposed allowing workers to organize.

The new CEO has insisted he will support existing employees in his leadership role, "including long-term hiring and retention, and continuing our investment in partner wages and store operations," per The Hill.

His move to work alongside the rank-and-file baristas comes as the company battles nationwide efforts to unionize. More than 280 stores have voted to form unions since 2021.

The would-be union, Starbucks Workers United, has responded favorably to Narasimhan's plan, telling the Washington Post that it "is a sign that he’s willing to change Starbucks’ relationship with workers and forge a new path forward with our union."

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.