Mar 26, 2008 3:27 pm US/Eastern
Former Barista Sues Starbucks Over Tips
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
Starbucks has been sued by a former barista who says the coffee giant wrongly required him to share tips with shift supervisors.
Hernan Matamoros, 18, of Somerville worked as a barista at the Chestnut Hill store.
He claims Starbucks violated a state law that prohibits supervisors from sharing tips reserved for waiters, bartenders and other employees paid below the minimum wage.
Matamoros filed the suit on behalf of thousands of baristas who have worked at the 199 Starbucks stores in Massachusetts over the past six years.
The lawsuit was filed in Suffolk Superior Court on Tuesday, five days after a California judge considering a similar case ordered Starbucks to pay baristas in that state $100 million dollars in tips and interest.
Starbucks has said it will appeal.
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