Starbucks store workers are suing the coffeehouse chain giant, accusing Starbucks of allegedly not paying workers for all time worked, and other alleged violations of California labor laws.
The lawsuit was originally filed in San Diego Superior Court, but then transferred to U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of named plaintiffs Ariana Beltran-Campuzano and Zoe Lima, as a representative action under California's Private Attorney General Act.
It cites violations of the California Labor Code.
The company allegedly failed to pay employees for missed meal and rest breaks, the lawsuit states.
Also, the company allegedly told employees "not to leave the store for many of their meal breaks because they had keys to the store," the lawsuit alleges.
When meal breaks were interrupted because of customer needs or other reasons, the company prevented employees from taking the rest of their break later in the day, according to the suit.
The company, "encouraged employees to purchase decorations for their stores during holidays and special events but then they never reimbursed them for their purchases," the suit says. Employees also allegedly ran errands in their vehicles but weren't reimbursed, the lawsuit alleges.
It seeks $100 per employee for each initial violation of the law and $200 for subsequent violations.
The plaintiffs are represented by attorney Thomas D. Rutledge, of the Law Office of Thomas D. Rutledge, of Rancho Santa Fe.
Beltran-Campuzano v. Starbucks Corporation, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, 3:23-cv-02152