Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz tests before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee – Copyright AFP/File STR John BIERS Longtime Starbucks leader Howard Schultz defended the coffee chain’s confrontational approach to unionization Wednesday, while insisting it had not violated US labor law in countering the campaign. The hearing, which got contentious at some points, was convened by progressive Vermont independent Senator Bernie Sanders, focusing on what Sanders called “illegal union busting.” In his testimony, Schultz said he understood that workers have the right to unionize. But he argued that management-led efforts to persuade employees otherwise were also protected.…