Starbucks intends to pay all U.S. workers a $15 minimum wage within the next "two to three years," stating that more than 30 percent of its U.S. retail workers are currently at or above that pay.

The statement came in a letter to Congress written by Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson, which was titled "Supporting Americans in unprecedented times." The letter called on Congressional leaders "to take immediate bipartisan action to pass new COVID relief legislation" and for government, business, and community leaders to work together on solutions.

"Navigating this pandemic is intertwined with ensuring American prosperity; both must be addressed in tandem," he wrote.

Johnson went on to share some of the efforts that Starbucks has been making to support its workers throughout the pandemic, including issuing catastrophe pay and service pay and giving workers at least a 10 percent pay increase. It was then that he mentioned the company's intention to achieve a $15 minimum wage within the next few years.

"...More than 30 percent of our U.S. retail partners are currently at or above $15/hour and we continue on our path to ensure all U.S. partners will be making at or above $15/hour within the coming two to three years. And as we always do, we will continue [to] explore what more we can do to provide compensation and benefits in support of our partners," he wrote.

Business Insider reported that many Starbucks workers have been calling on the company to raise its minimum pay to $15, especially during the pandemic. Almost 10,000 people signed a petition in support of this move.