Ex-Starbucks worker sues, alleging whistleblower retaliation

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/405136_starbucks14.html?source=mypi

Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Last updated 2:18 p.m. PT

Ex-Starbucks worker sues, alleging whistleblower retaliation
By LEVI PULKKINEN
SEATTLEPI.COM STAFF

A former Starbucks Corp. warehouse employee has sued the coffee giant, saying he was fired for complaining about unsafe working conditions.

In court papers, Leu Noga claims he was fired after 7 1/2 years at the company's green-coffee warehouse in Kent for raising concerns that workers at the facility were overworked and, in at least one case, untrained.

Noga says that he experienced retaliation after a Feb. 8, 2008, incident during which an uncertified forklift driver knocked a large door off of a piece of industrial equipment. He maintains that the company tried to cover up the incident and failed to respond to other safety concerns he had raised.

Instead, Noga claims, he was fired after confronting his manager about the company's handling of his safety concerns. He later filed a discrimination complaint with the state Department of Labor and Industries.

Reached for comment, a Starbucks spokeswoman said the company stands by its action.

"We are confident the evidence will show that Mr. Noga's termination was justified and appropriate," spokeswoman Tara Darrow said in a statement. "We strongly believe this is a meritless case, and we plan to vigorously defend our position."

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