Wage Law

U.S. District Judge Morrison C. England Jr. has approved a $3 million settlement between Starbucks and approximately 6,000 of its California shop managers, arising out of claims for reimbursement of travel expenses - mileage for business errands run using the employees' own vehicles. The settlement will net the average class member about $86. The class consists of managers, assistant managers and shift supervisors who worked in California Starbucks coffee shops between March 12, 2003, and March 19, 2008. Starbucks also agreed to change its policy to reimburse store managers for mileage expenses. The court also awarded an enhancement of $5,000 to class representative Jonelle Lewis.