Howard Schultz and Bernie Sanders Clash at Senate Hearing.

Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz faced criticism from Senate Democrats at a hearing on labor practices at Starbucks, with accusations of illegal union-busting and calculated efforts to stall contract talks. Schultz defended the company's labor practices and denied breaking the law, highlighting the company's benefits and average hourly wage of $17.50. Republicans on the committee praised Starbucks, while Democrats argued that unions acted as a corrective to a power imbalance between workers and management. The hearing coincided with a nonbinding shareholder vote in favor of an independent assessment of Starbucks' practices related to worker rights.