Workers sue Portland restaurant
A group of restaurant workers have brought a lawsuit against The Front Room in Portland, alleging the restaurant violated state and federal wage laws.
The lawsuit filed yesterday in U.S. District Court in Portland by former and current employees claims the restaurant's owner, Harding Lee Smith, did not pay them minimum wage and overtime, forced them to share tips and did not allow required breaks, according to the Portland Press Herald. The lawsuit alleges that three of the plaintiffs were forced to surrender more than 15% of their tips to other workers and did not receive credit card tips owed to them, according to the Maine Public Broadcasting Network. The suit is seeking $160,000 in unpaid wages and damages.
In a statement, Smith called the lawsuit "frivolous" and characterized it as "continued harassment by the Restaurant Opportunities Center, a national group with its own agenda." The Maine branch of the workers' advocacy group is assisting the plaintiffs in the suit. He also said one plaintiff, a former employee, "has a personal vendetta against the owners of The Front Room." Smith also owns The Grill Room and Bar and the Corner Room Kitchen and Bar in Portland.
Dick Grotton, president and CEO of the Maine Restaurant Association, hadn't seen the lawsuit but said some of the allegations were unfounded, according to the Press Herald. He said restaurant owners are allowed by law to average workers' wages and tips over a seven-day period to ensure their hourly rate exceeds the minimum wage of $7.50 per hour.
Go to the article from the Portland Press Herald >>
Go to the article from MPBN >>
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