Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) (L), Starbucks CEO Howard SchultzReuters (L) | Getty Images (R)Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz has agreed to testify in a U.S. Senate hearing about the coffee chain’s alleged union busting after pressure from Sen. Bernie Sanders.The Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, or HELP, Committee was scheduled to vote Wednesday morning on whether to subpoena Schultz, who previously declined a request to appear. Sanders, a democratic socialist who represents Vermont, serves as chair of the committee.Schultz is now scheduled to appear at a March 29 hearing.”I look forward to hearing from Mr. Schultz as to when he intends to end his illegal anti-union activities and begin signing fair first contracts with the unions,” Sanders said in a statement Tuesday.In February, Starbucks’ general counsel wrote in a letter viewed by CNBC that since Schultz is stepping down as interim CEO in March, it would make more sense for another senior leader with ongoing responsibilities to testify. Newcomer Laxman Narasimhan is slated to take over as chief executive in April.”Through the agreement reached today, our testimony will seek to foster a better understanding of our partner-first culture and priorities, including our industry leading benefit offerings and our long-standing commitment to support the shared success of all partners,” Starbucks said i …
