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Today, Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) sent a letter to Workers United International President Lynne Fox to request information about Michelle Eisen’s employment and compensation history with the union and whether it coincided with her testifying as a Starbucks barista at a Committee hearing in September 2022. Workers United’s LM-2 filing with the Department of Labor recently revealed that the union paid her $49,734 that same year, raising concerns about the extent to which she was affiliated with a union at the time of the hearing.

In the letter, Foxx writes: “On September 14, 2022, the Committee on Education and Labor for the 117th Congress held a hearing titled ‘In Solidarity: Removing Barriers to Organizing,’ where Ms. Michelle Eisen testified. On her Truth in Testimony, Ms. Eisen represented herself exclusively as a Starbucks barista. … It has come to the attention of the Committee on Education and the Workforce for the 118th Congress (Committee) that Workers United employed Ms. Eisen in 2022.”

The letter continues: “If Workers United had an employment relationship with Ms. Eisen, there was no indication provided of said relationship. … Congressional hearings are an essential part of the legislative process. Information provided by witnesses at hearings has the potential to influence legislation and inform public discourse. Therefore, transparency in these matters is critical.”

Foxx concludes by asking Workers United several questions:

• On what date did Ms. Eisen begin her employment with Workers United?
• Is Ms. Eisen still employed by Workers United? If not, on what date did her employment with Workers United end?
• On what dates did Ms. Eisen receive compensation from Workers United?
• Did Workers United, or any of its agents, assist Ms. Eisen in writing her written testimony for the September 14, 2022, hearing or assist her in preparing to testify at this hearing?

To read the full letter, click here.

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