Starbucks just can't stay out the news these days. The chain coffee shop has been told its stock is dropping, its ubiquitous presence is annoying, and its coffee sucks.

Now it's been informed that it's been ripping off its barista's as well. A judge in San Diego, CA ruled that the company had improperly distributed tip jar funds to supervisors and would need to reimburse rank and file baristas, in its California stores, tips they didn't get...with interest. The judgment could cost Starbuck's more than $100 million. That's a lot of tip jar change.

Predictably, the company is crying foul, and says it will "vigorously appeal." According to a press released cited by the Los Angeles Times: "Our shift supervisors deserve their fair share of the tips that they receive from the tip jars in our California stores...The decision today in our view represents an extreme example of an abuse of the class-action procedures in California courts."

The company also noted that the case was filed in 2004 by a single barista, and that the interests of shift supervisors (who also make coffee and work with the public), were not represented in the litigation.

Much as I dislike Starbucks, this is one case where I have to express my disdain for class-action lawyers even more. From my completely unscientific, anecdotal experience as a customer, I can't see any difference in the duties of baristas and their managers. Both work the machine during slams, both take orders, both dish up the Rice Krispy treats. Inasmuch as any clerk who's not a waiter deserves a tip, everyone behind the counter should share the wealth.

What say ye, Starbucks watchers?