Starbucks Corporation, known for its global coffeehouse chain, has been embroiled in a significant proxy battle initiated by the Strategic Organizing Center (SOC) and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). The SOC, along with SEIU leaders Mary Kay Henry, Ahmer Qadeer, and Michael Zucker, have nominated three independent candidates—Maria Echaveste, Joshua Gotbaum, and Wilma B. Liebman—for election to Starbucks' Board of Directors at the upcoming annual meeting scheduled for March 13, 2024. This move comes after the SOC's claims of 'flagrant human capital mismanagement' by Starbucks, particularly in its handling of employee unionization efforts. The SOC's nominees, if elected, aim to address these issues and enhance long-term shareholder value. The proxy statement and BLUE proxy cards were first distributed to shareholders on January 25, 2024, urging them to vote for the SOC's slate of nominees and against certain incumbent directors, whom the SOC holds responsible for the current state of affairs.

Starbucks Corporation, known for its global coffeehouse chain, has been embroiled in a significant proxy battle initiated by the Strategic Organizing Center (SOC) and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). The SOC, along with SEIU leaders Mary Kay Henry, Ahmer Qadeer, and Michael Zucker, have nominated three independent candidates—Maria Echaveste, Joshua Gotbaum, and Wilma B. Liebman—for election to Starbucks' Board of Directors at the upcoming annual meeting scheduled for March 13, 2024. This move comes after the SOC's claims of 'flagrant human capital mismanagement' by Starbucks, particularly in its handling of employee unionization efforts. The SOC's nominees, if elected, aim to address these issues and enhance long-term shareholder value. The proxy statement and BLUE proxy cards were first distributed to shareholders on January 25, 2024, urging them to vote for the SOC's slate of nominees and against certain incumbent directors, whom the SOC holds responsible for the current state of affairs.