Two former tipped workers of the Michelin-starred restaurant Gramercy Tavern are suing owner and restaurant mogul Danny Meyer for unpaid wages. Meyer, who also owns several other restaurants such as Shake Shack, Blue Smoke, Maialino, Jazz Standard, The Modern, North End Grill, and Union Square Café under the parent Company Union Square Hospitality, has been accused of being in violation of federal and state labor laws.
The ex-employees allege that they were not paid correctly and are consequently seeking compensation. As bussers, the workers were paid the minimum wage of $5.00 per hour. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and New York Labor Law (NYLL), they claim they should have been paid the full minimum wage of $8.75 when the restaurant mandated that they incorrectly tip out to workers who are not entitled to receive gratuities. Additionally, the former bussers claimed that they were not receiving their hard earned tips during private party events. Private parties were charged an obligatory 20% gratuity fee which the plaintiffs claim to have not received. New York has strict labor laws that any purported gratuities must be given solely to the employees and not management or kept as revenue.
The employment lawyers at Fitapelli & Schaffer, LLP are strongly committed to protecting the rights of hard working employees from labor violations such as unpaid wages. Anyone who has worked at any of the restaurants under the Union Square Hospitality Group in a tipped position may have a wage claim under the FLSA and/or NYLL. Please contact Fitapelli & Schaffer, LLP at (212) 300-0375 as we are currently investigating similar violations in Mr. Meyer’s other restaurant locations or visit our website for further information at www.fslawfirm.com .