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.

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