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.