NYC baristas also suing Starbucks over tips

updated 5:12 p.m. ET April 3, 2008

NEW YORK - Starbucks baristas in New York City are the latest to file a lawsuit alleging the coffee house chain improperly shared their tips with shift supervisors.

The lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Manhattan claims Starbucks Corp. owes at least $5 million to more than 2,000 workers. It is among several similar actions brought on behalf of Starbucks employees around the nation.

A call to Starbucks' Seattle headquarters seeking comment Thursday was not immediately returned. But the company has said its policy allows hourly employees — including shift supervisors, but not store managers — to share tips.

Starbucks is appealing a judge's ruling in California that says the company owes baristas there $100 million. Starbucks says it will vigorously fight what it calls copycat lawsuits.

MORE FROM FOOD INC.

Food Inc. Section Front

Tough times seem to benefit General Mills Early ‘Boston Market’ restaurateur dead at 52 Domino’s changing pizza recipe McDonald's to lift fee for Internet access Campbell Soup to change SpaghettiOs recipe McDonald's serving up breakfast dollar menu Costco will resume carrying Coke products General Mills cutting sugar in kids' cereal McDonald’s: U.S. same-store sales dip Transgender teen: McDonald’s discriminates Food Inc. Section Front   Add Food Inc. headlines to your news reader: