Starbucks Chief Govt Howard Schultz declined an invite from 11 senators to testify on March 9 on the espresso firm’s compliance with federal labor legislation, in line with a letter seen by Reuters late Tuesday.

Final week, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, who chairs a committee on labor points, and 10 different members of the committee requested Schultz to reply by Feb. 14 whether or not he would participate.

Schultz, who re-joined Starbucks as interim CEO in April 2022, will “absolutely transition” out of the position subsequent month, mentioned Starbucks appearing government vice chairman and basic counsel Zabrina Jenkins within the letter.

“Given the timing of the transition, his relinquishment of any working position within the firm going ahead and what we perceive to be the topic of the listening to, we imagine one other senior chief with ongoing duties is greatest suited to deal with these issues,” Jenkins wrote.