This battle has been widely watched because it is among the first board challenges to turn environmental, social and governance issues instead of financial arguments into the campaign's pillars. Unionized workers make up only a small portion of Starbucks' workforce, but the movement has gained traction with some 370 stores voting to unionize since 2021. While Starbucks' board mishandled the initial response to the beginning stages of the unionization movement, ISS wrote that it then reformed its approach with proper controls in mid-2022. The proxy advisor, whose recommendations often guide big shareholders' votes, praised Starbucks' board since the start of the fight, noting how it provided investors with adequate disclosure. It also noted that the company took "appropriate action to address certain of the issues impacting its partners." ISS also praised both parties for this week's decision to commit to talks aimed at finding ways to reach labor agreements and resolve law suits between the two sides.