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Colorado man says Budweiser distributor fired him for drinking Coors
AP ^

Posted on 05/18/2005 3:00:25 PM PDT by Nascardude

DENVER (AP) - Ross Hopkins still likes to drink Bud, even though he says a brief tryst with a Coors beer cost him his job at a Budweiser distributor.

Hopkins, 41, is suing American Eagle Distributing Co., saying the company wrongly fired him for drinking Coors in a bar two years ago. "They flat-out told me: 'We're putting food on your table so you could put it on theirs?"' he said Tuesday. "I thought I could drink it, no problem."

Hopkins' lawsuit, filed in a Greeley, Colo., court, seeks unspecified damages for lost wages and benefits. No trial date has been set.

Jeff Bedingfield, a lawyer for the distributor, declined comment, saying: "American Eagle prefers not to try this case in the media."

Colorado law states workers cannot be fired for a legal activity while off duty and away from work. There are exceptions, such as when a worker's actions relate to an occupational requirement or create a conflict of interest.

In a court filing, American Eagle said Hopkins' termination "was necessary to avoid a conflict of interest with his responsibilities to American Eagle and/or the appearance of such a conflict of interest."

Hopkins, who was a warehouse supervisor for the distributor, said he was not wearing a uniform or representing American Eagle when he was at the bar in May 2003 with some co-workers. He said he had ordered a Budweiser but a waitress brought Coors. He decided to drink it because he didn't want to wait.

The son-in-law of the distributor's majority shareholder also was at the bar and offered twice to buy him a Budweiser but Hopkins turned it down both times.

He was fired the following Monday.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: beer; coors; employeeloyalty; employmentatwill; fired
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If I worked at Wendys, but during my lunch break I went across the street to McDonalds and ate their, could I get fired?
1 posted on 05/18/2005 3:00:26 PM PDT by Nascardude
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To: Nascardude

There's a difference?


2 posted on 05/18/2005 3:01:07 PM PDT by AdamSelene235 (Truth has become so rare and precious she is always attended to by a bodyguard of lies.)
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To: Nascardude

If I was Coors, I would have this guy in my beer commerical tomorrow. He would be more famous than Jarred, the guy who eats subs and loses weight.


3 posted on 05/18/2005 3:02:32 PM PDT by Diago
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To: Nascardude

Most people are fired because they're screw-ups. The "I was fired because my boss is an intolerant bigot" stuff comes later.


4 posted on 05/18/2005 3:08:16 PM PDT by Question Liberal Authority (Newsweek Lied! People Died!)
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To: Nascardude

This is EXACTLY WHY I only drink Miller Lite.

It tatses great.


5 posted on 05/18/2005 3:28:09 PM PDT by baltodog (R.I.P. Balto: 2001(?) - 2005)
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To: Nascardude

Wow. I still feel guilty drinking Bud while wearing my Miller Lite #2 hat.


6 posted on 05/18/2005 3:47:26 PM PDT by andrew2527
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To: baltodog

No, it's less filling...


7 posted on 05/18/2005 8:04:14 PM PDT by Gigantor (USA: Greatest, wealthiest, most generous, benevolent, & powerful nation in the history of mankind.)
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To: Gigantor

Tastes great!


8 posted on 05/25/2005 2:56:43 PM PDT by Rio
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To: Rio

Less filling!


9 posted on 05/25/2005 11:14:34 PM PDT by Gigantor (USA: Greatest, wealthiest, most generous, benevolent, & powerful nation in the history of mankind.)
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To: Nascardude

This story is two weeks old.


10 posted on 05/25/2005 11:16:59 PM PDT by paulat
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To: Nascardude

If you just did a simple search on "Budweiser" you would have seen it was posted before.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1405929/posts


11 posted on 05/25/2005 11:18:46 PM PDT by paulat
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To: Nascardude
>>>If I worked at Wendys, but during my lunch break I went across the street to McDonalds and ate their, could I get fired?

If you're wearing your Wendy's work uniform - yes.

But if you read the information given, the man was not in any uniform, and he was on his own time - his employer should not be able to dictate his choice of beverage...unless he has an employment agreement that covers his conduct off the job.
12 posted on 05/25/2005 11:19:11 PM PDT by Keith in Iowa (Life's a beach - and Liberals are like the sand that gets in your swimsuit...)
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To: Nascardude

The beverage industry is insanely competitive. Brand loyalty is a big deal, and this guy knew or should have known that. Soft drink distributors are even more cutthroat. If you work for Coca Cola you can get fired for even being IN a Pepsi establisment, so I'm told.

It's all a game, though. A pal's sister used to be a marketing rep for Budweiser, then quit to go to work for Heineken. Literally overnight she went from rabidly pro-Bud to being equally rabidly pro-Heineken.


13 posted on 05/25/2005 11:26:29 PM PDT by kms61
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To: paulat

Ohhh Cry me a freakin river why don'y you


14 posted on 05/26/2005 9:34:34 AM PDT by Nascardude
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To: paulat

I was the one who posted this a week or so ago. That link takes you to this very same article. If it's been posted before, the moderator will remove it. Next time look at the date of the original post before you lecture me on posting procedures, genuis.


15 posted on 05/26/2005 9:44:57 AM PDT by Nascardude
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To: Nascardude
If I worked at Wendys, but during my lunch break I went across the street to McDonalds and ate their, could I get fired?

An employer has the right to fire any employee at any time for any reason, IMO. I completely disagree with the prevailing attitude that a job is a right. A job should be an agreement which the employer or employee may terminate at will. It makes no more sense to complain about an employer terminating an employee than for an employer to complain about an employee quitting. Neither should necessarily carry the stigma currently attached either.

16 posted on 05/26/2005 9:49:53 AM PDT by TChris (Just once, we need an elected official to stand up to a clearly incorrect ruling by a court. - Ann C)
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To: Nascardude
I was the one who posted this a week or so ago. That link takes you to this very same article. If it's been posted before, the moderator will remove it. Next time look at the date of the original post before you lecture me on posting procedures, genuis.

If you're the one who already posted it once before, then I'm afraid you're the one vying for the "genius" title. What were you trying to accomplish by posting it again?

17 posted on 05/26/2005 9:51:57 AM PDT by TChris (Just once, we need an elected official to stand up to a clearly incorrect ruling by a court. - Ann C)
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To: TChris

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!!! Look at the link in post 11. It takes you to this very same thread. I didn't repost the same story, I POSTED THE ORIGINAL FREAKING THREAD WHICH IS WHAT THIS IS. I didn't repost this story today.


18 posted on 05/26/2005 9:57:49 AM PDT by Nascardude
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To: TChris

>>>Posted on 05/18/2005 3:00:25 PM PDT by Nascardude<<<


That's 5/18/2005 that I posted this story. Not today, and not a repeat of the same story.


19 posted on 05/26/2005 9:59:20 AM PDT by Nascardude
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To: Nascardude
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!!! Look at the link in post 11. It takes you to this very same thread. I didn't repost the same story, I POSTED THE ORIGINAL FREAKING THREAD WHICH IS WHAT THIS IS. I didn't repost this story today.

>>>Posted on 05/18/2005 3:00:25 PM PDT by Nascardude<<<

That's 5/18/2005 that I posted this story. Not today, and not a repeat of the same story.

Man, you have a problem with repeating yourself. Just look at how many times you've used the word "post". Its sad, really. ;-) </chainyank>

20 posted on 05/26/2005 10:04:39 AM PDT by TChris (Just once, we need an elected official to stand up to a clearly incorrect ruling by a court. - Ann C)
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