Kate Bronfenbrenner

Director of Labor Education Research

Kate Bronfenbrenner is director of labor education research and a senior lecturer at Cornell University’s ILR School. She is an expert on union and employer strategies in organizing and bargaining.

Bronfenbrenner says: 

“The economic, political, and legal climate has changed a great deal since Starbucks agreed to bargain with the union in 2024. Starbucks, along with other corporations, are emboldened by a dysfunctional NLRB, and anti-union administration, and the dismantling of the regulatory state, to ignore the law and refuse to bargain a first agreement. Once again, Starbucks workers are striking and engaging customer support to get Starbucks back to the table. They may also need to again mount a large campaign with investors and other stakeholders to convince Starbucks that reaching a first contract is in the company’s best interest.”