Employees of Guy Fieri’s American Kitchen + Bar at Live! Casino Pittsburgh at Westmoreland Mall are protesting to "demand an end to harassment, discrimination and retaliation in the workplace," according to information received from the Restaurant Opportunities Centers United (ROC United).
A petition signed by more than 3,200 people and addressed to the management of the restaurant and the casino is asking management of both to address the following issues:
• Pay increase for Black workers, including 5 months of back pay
• Implement mandatory racial sensitivity and equality training for all employees at the restaurant and casino
• Publicly acknowledge and review working conditions at all Guy Fieri’s American Kitchen + Bar restaurants.
Nate Ridley, a Black employee claims he was present when a restaurant manager allegedly used the N-word in front employees.
ROC United says Ridley filed a formal complaint with the casino's HR department, the department didn't respond until after ROC-PA circulated the petition. Once ROC-PA got involved, ROC United says a disparity in pay between Black and white workers was also discovered.
Ridley told Lynne Hayes-Freeland on News Radio KDKA that he was making less than his white co-workers. "All the Black folks were making $2 less an hour than all the white folks, me being one of them. And I have a lot of experience, 28 years plus, and I was making less money than my fellow white workers and I was going the same amount of work."
Taylor Stessney, of ROC United, told Lynne that "It's unfortunate that you have to go to the side of public opinion to point out these wrongs in the industry, but that's why we're here today. We're hoping this gets a push of more attention."
“I grew up learning about the struggles that our Black communities go through. This situation at Guy Fieri’s restaurant made it a point for me and my coworkers to fight for what is right,” Ridley said in a written statement. “It would mean a lot to see what the management can do to address this unfortunate situation.”
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