Sept 24 (Reuters) - Starbucks' ( SBUX ) new CEO Brian

Niccol said in a letter on Tuesday that he "deeply respects" the

right of the coffee chain's workers to choose to be represented

by a union, and that he was committed to "engage

constructively."

Starbucks ( SBUX ) continues contract negotiations with the Workers

United union this week. The session would be the first with

Niccol at the helm after a surprise CEO change by the company

last month.

Niccol's remarks come in response to a letter addressed to

him by 298 baristas who are bargaining delegates from the union.

Earlier this month, Niccol said in an open letter that he

would work to improve coffeehouse culture at the chain's stores

in the United States and plans to spend time in stores meeting

with suppliers and partners to make improvements.

In his Tuesday letter, Niccol also reiterated his commitment

to creating a "great work environment" at the stores, and added

that the company "values" direct relations with workers.

"If our partners choose to be represented, I am committed to

making sure we engage constructively and in good faith with the

union and the partners it represents," Niccol wrote.

Starbucks ( SBUX ) began negotiations with Workers United in April on

a "foundational framework" to guide collective bargaining in the

U.S. The union's bargaining delegation represents more than

10,500 partners across over 490 stores.

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court threw out a lower court's

injunction sought by the U.S. National Labor Relations Board

ordering Starbucks ( SBUX ) to rehire seven Memphis employees who were

fired as they sought to unionize.