It's been a rough start to the year for Starbucks. In Florida, a federal court judge granted collective action status to a lawsuit filed by two managers who say they are entitled to overtime pay because they are actually "glorified baristas" and not true managers. The status gives the attorneys filing the suit permission to find other managers throughout the country who have similar complaints. Meanwhile in New York City, workers represented by the Industrial Workers of the World watched as the National Labor Relations Board agreed with their charges that the coffee chain has been "interfering with, restraining and coercing employees" who have attempted to unionize.

[Gross1]: The labor board also alleges in their complaint that Starbucks made outright bribes, created the impression of surveillance and much, much more.

Daniel Gross is an employee at the new York store. According to the board, seven Starbucks officials, including Senior Vice President Martin Annesse engaged in union intimidation. Gross says now that the board has ruled, other Starbucks employees are being encouraged to join:

[Gross2]: No majority of workers is required. Anyone can join at anytime and get started with other Starbucks folks around the country, imposing real economic, political and social costs on this company until they do the right thing and every single Starbucks worker rises out of poverty.

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