John,

Did you know that Starbucks and other greedy corporations are able to write-off blatant union-busting activities when calculating their taxes?

According to a new report from Americans for Tax Fairness, Starbucks paid an effective federal tax rate of just 5.8% and 3.3% in 2020 and 2018, respectively. Last year, they saw $4.1 billion in profits while their union-busting CEO Howard Schultz has seen his fortune grow by nearly $1 billion during the pandemic.

Hold Starbucks and Howard Schultz accountable. Demand Congress pass the No Tax Breaks for Union Busting Act to stop corporations from writing off union-busting activities as legitimate business expenses.

As we head into Labor Day weekend, let’s hold greedy union-busting corporations accountable and fight for the rights and wages of all working people.

Thank you,

Sarah Christopherson
Legislative and Policy Director
Americans for Tax Fairness Action Fund

-- FRANK'S EMAIL --

John,

Starbucks’ union busting has reached unprecedented levels.

As documented in a new Americans for Tax Fairness report, Starbucks made $4.1 billion in profits in 2021 and its CEO Howard Schultz saw his fortune balloon by nearly $1 billion during the pandemic. Meanwhile, the corporation is running a union-busting campaign that includes illegally firing union organizers, worker intimidation, and essentially “bribing” workers to not join the union.[1]

To make matters worse, they―and other corporations―can write off their union-busting expenses when calculating their taxes. Everything from pressure tactics to hiring anti-union consultants to anti-union advertising to so-called “captive audience meetings,” and even violations of the National Labor Relations Act have all been written off as legitimate business expenses in corporations’ tax filings.

Now, we can stop these disgusting tax write-offs by demanding Congress pass the No Tax Breaks for Union Busting Act. Upon introduction of the bill, the lead sponsor Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) said, “corporations shouldn’t be able to write off union busting as a run-of-the-mill business expense.”[2] We agree!

Join Americans for Tax Fairness Action Fund and our allies in demanding Congress pass the No Tax Breaks for Union Busting Act. Click here to become a grassroots co-sponsor today!

In less than a year, workers at 220 Starbucks stores across the country have voted to unionize.[3] This is part of an unprecedented wave of workers standing up and fighting back against greedy corporations―demanding fair pay, benefits, and fair scheduling.

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz has refused to negotiate with or even recognize the Starbucks Workers United union.[4] In response to Schultz’s blatant union-busting, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) recently slapped Starbucks with a decision that requires them to re-hire previously fired labor organizers and pay back 100% of denied benefits to workers at hundreds of unionized stores.[5][6]

The NLRB is even requiring Schultz to record a video apologizing to Starbucks workers for their union-busting tactics.[7]

That’s just a start. Hold Starbucks and all union-busting corporations accountable by demanding Congress pass the No Tax Breaks for Union Busting Act. Become a grassroots co-sponsor today!

Thank you for standing up to greedy corporations that consistently put their financial bottom line ahead of their workers’ rights and wages.

Frank Clemente
Executive Director
Americans for Tax Fairness Action Fund

[1] “Billion-Dollar Union Busters: How Starbucks & Its Rich CEO Are Stifling Worker Organizing,” Americans for Tax Fairness, Aug. 31, 2022
[2] https://twitter.com/SenBobCasey/status/1526293084358713348
[3] “Map: Where are Starbucks Workers Unionizing,” More Perfect Union
[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0ITOeZWevQ
[5] “NLRB Region-15 Wins Injunction Requiring Starbucks to Rehire Seven Unlawfully Fired Workers, Post the Court’s Order, and Cease and Desist from Unlawful Activities,” National Labor Relations Board, Aug. 18, 2022
[6] “Starbucks Illegally Denied Raises to Union Members, Labor Board Says,” New York Times, Aug. 25, 2022
[7] “NLRB Demands Starbucks’ Anti-Union CEO Record Video, Send Apologies to Workers,” Vice, Aug. 26, 2022