A coalition of Starbucks shareholders, including the SOC Investment Group and Trillium Asset Management, is calling for the removal of board members Jørgen Vig Knudstorp and Beth Ford over concerns about the ongoing stall in union negotiations. This group argues that the board’s actions have contributed to the ongoing difficulties faced by workers seeking to unionize, despite the coffee chain’s major union drive since 2021.

Since the barista-led organizing campaign began, over 680 Starbucks locations have voted to form unions, illustrating a significant shift in the workforce's desire for representation. However, despite reaching 34 tentative agreements, the company has yet to finalize any agreements with the union. This ongoing standoff has frustrated workers and shareholders alike, raising questions about the company's commitment to labor relations and the direction of its corporate governance.

In the backdrop of this tension, an unfair labor practice strike by Starbucks employees commenced in November 2025, emphasizing the urgency of the situation as thousands of workers participated in the strike, especially during the holiday period. The calls for accountability from shareholders underscore a growing trend among investors who are increasingly focused on the ethical implications of corporate governance and labor practices within the companies they support.