The DealBook newsletter delves into one topic or theme each weekend and provides reports and analysis to better understand important business issues. If you haven’t received your daily newsletter yet Sign up here..
After six years of retirement, Howard Schultz returned to the top position at Starbucks in April. This time, in order to resist the efforts of the union that is sweeping the country, we tried to remedy the growing anxiety of employees in the company.
He also said the country was facing a “capitalist crisis” and came back to believe that leadership was needed to “reinvent the roles and responsibilities of public companies.” He said in the New York Times DealBook DC Policy Forum On thursday.
These excerpts have been edited and summarized for clarity.
About why he returned
I have returned to reinvent the role and responsibilities of public companies when there have been cultural and political changes regarding the capitalist crisis. The needs and requirements of today’s company employees.
I don’t want to be critical, but I need to be honest that the government is leaving people behind in many ways. If you call thousands of people working on salaries today and ask about economic liquidity, especially national promises, most of the time they will say it’s not available to me. And unfortunately, if you ask a black or brown person, most of the time you’ll say it’s not available to me.
In the past, Starbucks created a comprehensive health insurance policy for the public 25 years before the Affordable Care Act reform. Stocks in the form of stock options for everyone, including part-time workers. Free college tuition. We can continue many times, but the truth is that the same great benefits as ever are not enough for Gen Z’s employees, mainly because of their different worldviews. And again, because the government doesn’t provide them with the way they believe they deserve.
Why he opposes unionization
Unfortunately, Starbucks is an agent for what’s happening. We are in the middle of it. If a company like Starbucks that is progressive, accomplishes a lot, and is in the 100th percentile across the industry can be threatened for the benefit of its employees, it means any company in the United States. .. Well, I publicly said it wasn’t an anti-union, but the history of the union is based on the fact that businesses in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s abused people. We do not have a coal mining business. We are not abusing people.
But the big problem in this country is that companies aren’t functioning well and they are enemies.
We do not believe that a third party should guide our people. And we are fighting for the hearts and thoughts of the people.
Building a good and lasting company is one of the currencies of trust.
About the situation of the US economy
At $ 6 to $ 7 a gallon of gasoline, American consumers, or American families, are on the road to time conflict in how long they can stay at their current levels. increase. Therefore, it is difficult to be optimistic unless there are plans to curb inflation.
About the relationship between the United States and China (There are 6,000 stores in Starbucks)
Russia is an enemy and an end to America. In my opinion, China is a fierce competitor.
The fact that we are diplomatically traveling between China and the United States is very unhealthy. It goes against what the world needs.
With respect to the $ 360 billion tariffs imposed by Trump, the reason why the President of the United States does not raise those tariffs today is beyond me.
About responsibility to speak
Just in the last few months, there are three important issues in progress. There is gun violence and the situation in Yuvarde and Buffalo. Regarding the Roe v. Wade case, there is a future situation with the Supreme Court. And we have immigration issues. These three issues are in the hearts of our people and promise to look at Starbucks and Starbucks leaders and confront what they believe is in line with our company’s values and guidelines. I can do it.
Not convenient. It’s not about ringing the register.
In the world we live in, neither the company nor the CEO can hide. Everyone knows everything. Everything you say publicly or privately is there. So make sure you are standing for the truth.
About the mental health crisis
What are the biggest benefits Starbucks offers? The first is Spotify. That’s it. The second is Lyra Health, which is the mental health we provide to people.
Starbucks provides services to 100 million people, and in terms of being used as a public toilet by visitors, only the safety of the store is an issue, and it is necessary to provide a safe environment for employees and customers. .. And the country’s mental health crisis is serious, serious and exacerbated.
Today we went to Anacostia’s Starbucks Community Store, five miles from here. This is, unfortunately, a community that symbolizes a deprived and left-behind community across the country. And here Starbucks is building a store for the community. Well, I had a round table meeting with my manager and others, and I was told that there was no one on the street every day from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm today. why? People are afraid that their children will be shot — 5 miles from the White House.
I think we have to provide better training to people. We must solidify our stores and provide people with safety. I don’t know if I can keep the bathroom open.
Starbucks is trying to solve the problem and face the problem that is the responsibility of the government.
About returning workers to the office
I failed to get our people back to work, despite everything I tried to do. I begged them. He said he would kneel. Do push-ups. whatever you want. Come back. No, they haven’t returned to the level I want. And, as you know, we are a very collaborative and creative group. I’m from an old school and realized that this is another generation. I’m in the office at 7am and leave at 7pm. I’m trying to make an example. I think people come back a couple of days a week, and that’s — it’s. But what I’m evaluating is what the level of productivity is. And, as you know, people seem to work at home.
What do you think? Is Starbucks an agent for what’s happening in America? Please let us know: dealbook@nytimes.com.
