Howard Schultz: Starbucks tells employees what to say about CEO considering presidential run

Starbucks employees aren’t happy with the former CEO and his serious mulling over running in the 2020 presidential election

Although former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz only recently announced that he is “seriously considering” seeking a White House bid in 2020 as an the “independent centrist,” the employees of the coffee mega-chain have been bombarded with questions and complaints about his political ambitions.

Mr Schultz, a self-described “lifelong Democrat,” has received major backlash from Democrats, progressives and constituents alike for publicly announcing his interest in running as an independent, and for his centrist policy positions.

The 65-year-old billionaire recently called Medicare-for-all - a proposal offering healthcare to all US residents without requiring out-of-pocket, premium, deductible or co-pay costs for medical services - unAmerican.

A lot of Democrats have also said his independent presidential bid could actually siphon off voters from the party, ensuring President Donald Trump’s re-election.

Mr Schultz’s comments and potential political career has fostered an uneasy climate for Starbucks employees. Recently, the Seattle-based coffee chain sent out a weekly “Barista Need-to-Know” update for January 21 to 27, offering instructions on how to handle questions and “aggressive political opinions” shared by customers, HuffPost reported.

Here’s what the instructions in the update said:

If a customer asks if we are selling Howard’s book at Starbucks:

No, the books are available at bookstores and online.

If a customer attempts to investigate, or share aggressive political opinions, attempt to diffuse the situation by sharing:

We respect everyone’s opinion. Our goal is simply to create a warm and welcoming space where we can all gather, as a community, over great coffee.

If asked about Howard’s political intentions:

Howard’s future plans are up to him.

Despite Mr Schultz telling CBS’ 60 Minutes that his possible presidential run would be independent from Starbucks, the coffee magnate still has quite an influence over the company’s public image and operations.

As HuffPost noted, the internal update said corporate shipped “one copy [of Mr Schultz’s new book] to each of our US stores this week for partners to share.” There are over 14,000 Starbucks stores in the country. Also, for a limited time, Starbucks employees are eligible to purchase the billionaire’s book for 50 per cent off.

The employees aren’t happy with Mr Schultz and his public contemplation on running in the 2020 presidential election.

“I find Schultz running to be extremely awful,” a Starbucks employee told HuffPost. “I just know he’ll splinter the Dem vote in 2020 and that he’s in it for himself.”

“Just because you’re a businessman does not mean you’re also a stellar leader,” another unnamed employee said. “We learned that from our current president.”