WORKERS ARE CHEATED OF THEIR WAGES: CALIFORNIA STARBUCKS BARISTAS RECOVER MILLIONS IN STOLEN TIPS
In a recent class action verdict by the San Diego Superior Court, Starbucks was ordered to give back over $105 million in shared tips that were taken from baristas since the year 2000. It seems that as Starbucks’ stock fell in the market, Supervisors began a new scheme of pooling tips and dividing them amongst the baristas and themselves. This was blatantly against the rule as these managers were already compensated above and beyond the low-waged baristas who used those tips to enhance their minimal wages to make a decent paycheck.
Attorneys for the plaintiffs hoped that the verdict would send a message to all employers that regardless of whether or not they are a large corporation, every company must follow the labor code which was enacted to protect the lowest level workers in the service industry.
This verdict comes among a recent trend of large companies trying to increase profits and cut spending by reducing or short-changing their low-to-minimum wage workers. The labor law and the recent court rulings are clear; this is not an acceptable way to manage a company. While this verdict is solely for the baristas of Starbucks between the year 2000 and when the trial started, it shows that the law is on your side if you find that you are being cheated of your rightful wages. Call the Law Offices of Greenberg & Rudman LLP in California at 1-800-252-9776 for a free consultation regarding your legal rights and how one of our experienced employment lawyers may be able to help you.
