KING COUNTY, Wash. — A judge has ordered the operator of Beehive Espresso to pay $1.8 million in damages to 70 former baristas who sued the company over unpaid
A judge has ordered the operator of Beehive Espresso to pay $1.8 million in damages to 70 former baristas who sued the company over unpaid wages, stolen tips, and other workplace violations.
The baristas have spent nearly two years fighting for pay they say they're owed, with some estimating they lost out on tens of thousands of dollars over years of working at the coffee stands.
Former employees say owner Alan Tagle forced them to meet unrealistic sales goals or face retaliation, goals some described as nearly impossible to hit.
"It could be like up to $450 or $500 for a four-hour shift, which means you would have to sell a coffee like every few minutes in order to make the goal, which is like not physically possible," one former employee, who asked to remain anonymous, said.
Employees say they often gave up their tips just to meet those quotas, but the money was still good enough for some to justify working under the conditions. However, some were ultimately fired after speaking with coworkers about wage issues, according to the lawsuit.
Workers eventually partnered with the Working Washington Rights Center and attorneys at Schroeter Goldmark & Bender (SGB) to file a class action lawsuit in 2024.
"I hope workers in Washington learn that the justice system is for them — that it doesn't matter if you wear a bikini or steel-toe boots to work, you're entitled to protection," said attorney Lindsay Halm, who represented the baristas in the case.
Halm said Tagle also failed to pay the correct minimum wage, didn't compensate employees for all hours worked, didn't provide sick pay, and barred workers from taking jobs at competitors, which are all violations of Washington labor law.
"Our bosses have a lot of power. They dictate the hours, they dictate when or if we get paid," Halm said. "But there is a reckoning in court, and that power gets distributed to workers when they stand up and tell the truth."
After a months-long trial, a judge awarded the 70 baristas $1.8 million in unpaid wages and other damages.
"Somebody has to hold people like Alan accountable for their actions, especially when it is at such a large scale," said Mykie, one of the former baristas involved in the suit. "If we don't put our foot down and say that this has to come to an end, who's to say that there wouldn't be more bosses like Alan to come up in the future and potentially do even worse things?"
Even with the verdict handed down, it could still be months before the baristas see any money, according to their attorneys. How and when they'll be paid still has to be worked out in court.
