Victory for Workers at Mario Batali’s Del Posto!
September 25, 2012 10:23 am
Workers at Mario Batali’s Del Posto restaurant in New York City scored a major victory Monday, as Batali and his partners agreed to a $1.15 million settlement and improved workplace conditions for all non-managerial employees.
The case dates back to 2010, when 31 workers, receiving support from the Restaurant Opportunities Center (ROC), brough a class action case alleging various wage and hour and overtime violations, as well as separate EEOC discrimination charges. ROC not only assisted in bringing the suit, but led a series of actions against the restaurant bringing attention to the alleged violations and need for change.
All non-managerial employees at Del Posto will now receive five paid vacation days and three sick days per year, and will not be responsible for finding replacements if they need to call in. Notably, the settlement not only makes workers whole, it gives Del Posto the opportunity to permanently change their culture and become what ROC calls a “high road partner.”
From our interview with ROC Communications Director Meghana Reddy earlier this year:
“We develop high road partnerships with restaurants that are doing the right thing. We are able to support them and organize them and endorse them to the public through the ROC diners guide.”
The settlement follows a recent $5.25 million settlement Batali and his business partner agreed to in a similar suit earlier this year. The actions and lawsuits have forced Batali and his partners to recognize that ethical eating must include fair treatment of workers.
Image from here