In re Starbucks Employee Gratuity Litigation

Opinion and Order

LAURA TAYLOR SWAIN, District Judge.

Plaintiffs Jeana Barenboim (“Barenboim”) and Jose Ortiz (“Ortiz”) (collectively, “Plaintiffs”), formerly employed as Baristas in stores operated by Starbucks Corporation (“Starbucks” or “Defendant”), bring this putative statewide class action asserting various claims against Starbucks for alleged violations of several provisions of the New York Labor Law (“N.Y. Labor Law”). Plaintiffs’ first claim arises out of Starbucks’ policy of distributing tips to store Shift Supervisors, who Plaintiffs assert are agents of the employer and thus may not…