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Starbucks has a long legacy of putting our partners (employees) first. We were among the first companies to offer comprehensive health benefits and equity to those who work just 20 hours or more a week– it’s why we are called partners.

I write you today to remind you that, as Starbucks partners, you are in a position to bridge such differences and highlight our similarities.

On June 5, the Seattle City Council voted to pass a tax on sweetened beverages. The impact on many beverages, including ready to drink and handcrafted coffee and tea beverages will be finalized through the rule making process.

From our beginnings, Starbucks has always, and remains committed to, using our scale to positively impact the communities we serve around the world.

For more than 30 years, Starbucks has been working to reduce the environmental impact of its paper cups.With more than 80 percent of cups leaving the stores with customers, the company is more committed than ever to make its cup recyclable.

Our full benefits package, which is always evolving based on ongoing conversations we have with partners, is reflective of our mission and commitment to be a different kind of company and put our people first, recognizing the different benefits needs that our partners have.

I am writing in recognition of your work to support “Dreamers”, including those young men and women who are part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. They represent the values of hard work, patriotism and hope that define America. At Starbucks, we are proud to call them our partners.

As we all try to find some sort of normalcy in our day-to-day lives amidst these tragedies, I can only hope that, as partners, we continue take care of one another and remain in pursuit of greater unity and humanity.

Amid the inevitable uncertainty, our own goals remain clear: Today, Starbucks leadership, together with our UK and EMEA leadership team, want to assure all Starbucks partners that we are completely committed to the UK market.

Starbucks is aware the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) updated classifications to coffee. To evaluate any research on the health benefits or risks of coffee consumption, we work closely with the National Coffee Association (NCA).