(Reuters) -Starbucks Corp, which has confronted criticism over its opposition to union organizing, mentioned the labor union representing a few of its shops has rejected in-person bargaining classes and is insisting on hybrid negotiations.

Starbucks (NASDAQ:) Staff United, which represents hundreds of U.S. baristas at about 200 cafes, carried out unauthorized digital broadcasts of bargaining classes with out prior settlement from all events, Starbucks mentioned in a press release to Reuters on Monday.

“Staff United is asking for a seat on the desk, we’re merely encouraging them take their seat in-person on the negotiating desk, as required, to maneuver the bargaining course of ahead,” the corporate mentioned.

This comes after Nationwide Labor Relations Board (NLRB) prosecutors alleged that Starbucks violated labor regulation by refusing to have interaction in bargaining if some staff have been attending remotely by way of videoconference, based on a Bloomberg report.

“Now that it is clear now we have the suitable to cut price utilizing a digital element, we hope Starbucks is prepared, too,” Tyler Keeling, a frontrunner of the Starbucks Staff United in California mentioned.

The NLRB didn’t reply to Reuters’ request for remark.

On March 29, former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz will testify earlier than the U.S. Senate Well being, Training, Labor and Pensions Committee, after earlier resisting requests to seem and reply questions concerning the firm’s compliance with labor regulation.

“Listening to this days earlier than Howard Schultz is ready to testify in entrance of the HELP committee is large, particularly as a result of he has personally talked about the truth that Starbucks is refusing to cut price with us due to the Zoom display screen,” Keeling mentioned.