FORMER Starbucks chief executive Howard Schultz is set to return to the company for a third time, it was announced on Wednesday, amid reports of anti-union tactics by the coffee-chain giant. 

Mr Schultz takes over the reins as the beleaguered firm seeks to improve its image, which has been damaged over claims of union busting and bullying of staff.

Starbucks told investors it aimed to “improve relations” with its workers and open 20,000 stores by the end of the decade.