Seattle, WA: (May-16-08) A class action lawsuit was brought against Starbucks, by employees who alleged that the company did not reimburse them for mileage expenses incurred on the job. The suit claimed that store managers, assistant managers and shift supervisors who worked at California stores from March 2003 until March 2008, weren't paid mileage expenses. The claim was brought by Jonelle Lewis, who originally filed the lawsuit in March 2007, after having worked at Starbucks since December 2005. Court papers indicate that she resigned the month she filed the lawsuit. Lewis claimed that she regularly used her vehicle for work, including making bank deposits and getting supplies, but was denied reimbursement.
Company officials said that Starbucks denied the allegations, stating that it had agreed to resolve the dispute with a $3 million payout. It said that it agreed to the class action status, for settlement purposes only. As per a filing in US District Court, store managers, assistant managers and shift supervisors who worked at CA stores from March 2003 until March 2008 are eligible for payments of $30 to $75 each before taxes. [
