I’m writing to bring you an important update about our efforts to empower minority workers and fight back against racial discrimination. NCLEJ has filed a federal civil rights complaint against Apple-Metro, the Applebee’s franchisee for the New York Metropolitan area, for violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
Title VII prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin. Our charge highlights that Apple-Metro pays mostly Black and dark-skinned tipped workers in the South Bronx the subminimum wage for tipped workers, while paying the predominantly non-Black tipped workers in Manhattan that are in identical positions at least $15 an hour plus customer tips.
To make matters even worse, Applebee’s fired our client, Applebee’s server Justin Onwenu, in retaliation for the discrimination complaint.
On Monday, we joined One Fair Wage, Applebee’s workers, restaurant workers in New York City, and other allies at the Charging Bull in Bowling Green to raise awareness about our legal complaint.
Our case represents larger issues of pay discrimination and disparities experienced by workers of color. Tipped restaurant workers are overwhelmingly likely to be people of color and women, and they are twice as likely to live in poverty and rely on food stamps compared to the general workforce.
For far too long, workers of color have been shortchanged by their employers. That’s why NCLEJ is fighting every day to empower workers by taking on structurally racist practices and institutions.
There is no justification for paying predominantly Black workers a lower wage than non-Black workers in identical positions. This is a clear and cut case of racial discrimination and a retaliatory firing, and we are determined to hold Apple-Metro accountable for underpaying their minority workers and to secure a living wage for all workers.
The National Center for Law and Economic Justice advances racial and economic justice through ground-breaking impact litigation, policy advocacy, and support for grassroots organizing. We have provided legal representation and support since 1965.
