(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A Chicago man has filed an unfair labor practice charge against a popular Rush Street restaurant because he says he was fired after recently taking videos of sewage flooding part of the kitchen and bar area.
"There was active sewage coming up from that back pipe from the dish pit, which is right around the corner from the line where we cook food. And that was all mixing in with the ankle-deep water in the back,” says Matthew Cabrales.
He said he was fired from Hugo's Frog Bar, where he had worked for a year, after management found out he'd taken videos of the flooded kitchen last month. Employees aren't allowed to have phones on the job, the former server said.
He says management should've closed down to take care of the problem, but didn't, and he says he wanted to hold them accountable.
"I wanted proof that they were acting unsafely,” Cabrales said.
The Gibsons Restaurant Group declined comment on the employee-related matter and confirmed there was a drain backup but said it was cleaned up without hazard to anyone.
Here is the employer's complete statement:
"Hugo's Frog Bar on Rush Street had a drain back up in its dishwashing area one evening last month which caused some puddling under the kitchen floor mats in the back-of-house. We are proud of the team who immediately sprang to action to find the cause, call in support, and clean and sanitize the area. Dishes to be cleaned were moved to an alternate dishwashing station until the situation was resolved. At no time was the health or safety of our customers or employees in danger – if there had been any risk, we wouldn’t hesitate to shut down, just like we voluntarily closed our patio to protect our employees and customers when the air quality in Chicago was hazardous. Hugo’s has always provided a safe working environment for its employees.
These things happen in the restaurant business, which is why we regularly rod and jet our drains. In fact, our sanitary procedures go above and beyond what is required by the City, including a voluntary quarterly third-party inspection to assure we are operating at the highest standards of hygiene, cleanliness and sanitation. A big shout out to the members of our team who rose to the occasion.
Hugo’s Frog Bar does not comment publicly about employee matters."
Related
Listen to our new podcast Courier Pigeon
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram