Starbucks Union Organizers Take Aim At Company's New CEO: 'I'd Prefer It If He Stayed Out Of Our Way'

Although Starbucks Corporation's SBUX new CEO Laxman Narasimhan recently laid out his plans while at the company, which includes working in Starbucks stores as a barista once a month, union organizers aren't on board. 

Last week, Narasimhan assumed the CEO role, taking the reins from Howard Schultz two weeks ahead of schedule. The former Pepsi executive has spent the last two months learning about Starbucks, including earning his barista certification. 

"I felt it was very important to start as a barista. I wanted to really understand what they do and how they do it," he explained to the Associated Press in an email. "I've loved and learned so much about the retail experience from working in our stores, and can now make an excellent French press if I do say so myself."

Narasimhan's latest move follows in the foosteps of DoorDash Inc DASH CEO Tony Xu, who, along with members of his executive team, famously makes DoorDash deliveries once a month. 

Union organizers, however, are not entirely happy with Narasimhan's decision to work at the stores.

"I'd really prefer it if he stayed out of our way and instead spent 40hrs learning about worker's rights and how NOT to commit thousands of unfair labor practice violations in a year," Starbucks union organizer Michelle Eisen tweeted on Friday. 

I’d really prefer it if he stayed out of our way and instead spent 40hrs learning about worker’s rights and how NOT to commit thousands of unfair labor practice violations in a year. pic.twitter.com/52rQQJNOCc

— Michelle Eisen (@michelleeisen) March 24, 2023

One of Eisen's followers responded, wondering why Narasimhan opted to work as barista and whether he would live on a barista's salary.   

How heroic for the new @starbucks CEO to work as a barista once a month. Will he live on a barista’s salary?

— Kraig Peck (@peck_kraig) March 25, 2023

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During last week's annual Starbucks shareholder meeting, Starbucks Workers United announced seven new stores had filed for union elections.

"If Howard Schultz or Laxman Narasimhan think this movement is limited to college towns and coastal cities, they've got another thing coming," Lizzy Prichard, a Starbucks organizer in Ohio, said in a release. "Union Starbucks partners are here to stay."

Meanwhile, Narasimhan said he would like to see Starbucks evolve into a more global company, be less wasteful, and move faster.

"My immersion exposed me to every aspect of Starbucks business, culture, and brand," AP quoted him saying. "Together, we have acknowledged the opportunity for a refounding of Starbucks."

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Photo: Noirescent on flickr