Starbucks CEO’s Anti-Union Comments Straddle Line of Legality

Starbucks Corp. CEO Howard Schultz’s disparaging comments about workers’ organizing efforts escalated a lengthy battle with employees who have unionized at 150 stores nationwide.

Workers United alleges Schultz’s recent interview with New York Times reporter Andrew Ross Sorkin demonstrates the company won’t bargain in good faith with unionized employees. It’s the fourth time the union has filed a charge with labor regulators over the Starbucks chief’s statements.

Schultz in the interview said Starbucks will never accept the union, and that unionizing will cause the company to lose business, the union said in its filing.

Public comments like Schultz’s present a ...