Starbucks to pay $3 million in mileage reimbursement suit

Starbucks has agreed to pay up to $3 million to settle a lawsuit that alleged the company did not reimburse California employees for mileage expenses incurred on the job.

Store managers, assistant managers and shift supervisors who worked at California stores from March 2003 until March 2008 are eligible for payments of $30 to $75 each before taxes, according to a settlement stipulation filed last month in U.S. District Court.

The $3 million settlement includes payment of attorney's fees, an undisclosed incentive award to the representative plaintiff and a $25,000 payment to the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency.

Starbucks denies liability and agreed to class-action status for settlement purposes only, according to the document.

As part of the settlement, the plaintiff and her attorneys agreed not to respond to press questions, except to refer to court documents.

Court papers indicate that Jonelle Lewis filed the lawsuit in March 2007 after having worked at Starbucks since December 2005. She resigned the month she filed the lawsuit.

In her complaint, Lewis said she regularly used her vehicle for work, including making bank deposits and getting supplies. She requested reimbursement for mileage but was told Starbucks does not reimburse for mileage as a matter of policy, the lawsuit said.

Melissa Allison: 206-464-3312 or mallison@seattletimes.com