Starbucks Investors Push to Oust Directors

February 18, 2026 – A powerful coalition of investors is targeting Starbucks‘ boardroom. The group wants shareholders to vote out two directors at the March 25 annual meeting. Their core charge: the board has failed to manage one of the company’s biggest risks, its labour relations.

Who Is Being Targeted?

The investor group is targeting Jorgen Vig Knudstorp, the company’s lead independent director. They also want Beth Ford removed. Ford chairs the board’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Investors hold both of them accountable for what they perceive as a governance breakdown.

Why This Matters

A prolonged union dispute has gripped Starbucks. More than 3,800 baristas launched a nationwide strike late last year. It was the longest work stoppage in the company’s history. The Starbucks Workers United union demanded better pay, predictable schedules, and improved staffing levels.

Investors argue that unresolved labour tensions pose direct business risks. “Without a constructive relationship with its unionised workforce, sustaining a turnaround may prove difficult,” the group wrote in a shareholder letter.

Who Signed the Letter?

The coalition is notable for its size and credibility. Signatories include the New York State Comptroller, the New York City Comptroller, the SOC Investment Group, the Trillium ESG Global Equity Mutual Fund, the Merseyside Pension Fund, and the Shareholder Association for Research and Education.

What Does Starbucks Say?

Starbucks defended its compensation record. The company said its baristas earn an average of $30 per hour, including benefits. It also confirmed that responsibilities for labour oversight have been reallocated across existing board committees.

The Bigger Picture for CEO Brian Niccol

This dispute is a critical test for Brian Niccol. The CEO has been working to revive Starbucks’ flagging sales since taking the helm. A protracted labour dispute could undermine that effort. If investors succeed in the election, it would send a rare and powerful message about board accountability in labour issues.