Latest Restaurant Lawsuit Tries to Force Flay to Pay

With the economy drying up and waiters' pockets coming home not quite as stuffed with tips, are those in the food service industry more likely to sue their employers to get their fair share? We're not sure if that's what's behind it, but there sure have been a smattering of restaurateurs getting sued recently. The latest to get hit with one is celebrity chef Bobby Flay who was served a wage and labor violations lawsuit in Manhattan court Friday on behalf of employees in a number of his restaurants, including local spots Bar Americain, Mesa Grill and the now defunct Bolo. The suit claims Flay forced workers to buy and launder their own uniforms and refused to give them a share of mandatory tips charged to private party tabs. Other lawsuits have been served up in recent months to high-profile restaurants belonging to Robert DeNiro, Top Chef's Tom Colicchio and Hawaiian Tropic.

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By Billy Parker in Food, News on January 18, 2009 1:28 PM

Comments [rss]

ides_of_march

Thieving bastards. I hope they all get sued and go out of business.

inoyourider

They had to buy and launder their own uniforms!

Poor babies!

I bussed, cooked and waited for 6 years.

Not sharing the tips is a big no-no though, and they should be compensated.

Rocknrope

I had no idea Bolo closed. Was it crappy?

Mr Mel

No, it was very good. I believe they lost their lease.

PayPaul

That will never happen. Restaurateurs are a power unto themselves. The Restaurant Industry is very shady with all sorts of Omerta. As long as the light of day never shines upon the dark storage rooms, dish washer areas and kitchens restaurant employees will never get a fair shake. As long as illegal aliens are being hired by these such places not enough people will come forward. They're made to be scared for their lives, families and their livelihoods. It's such a shame that someone like Bob Deniro had to be caught up in this mess.

David

Obama! We need you to fix this.

I'm hoping there will soon come a day when the tip exception is gone and people who work in restaurants and bars are paid fairly without having to rely on gratuities.