Servers file lawsuit against Eastland Park Hotel
In a class-action lawsuit filed yesterday, two servers claim the Eastland Park Hotel withheld some of their tips. Jeffrey Stone and Kimberly Williams are suing New Castle Hotel & Resorts of Connecticut, Eastland's owner, and Portland II Hotel Management LLC of Delaware, its operator, over tip skimming.
The banquet servers are also suing the hotel's former owner and operator, Rhode Island-based Magna Hospitality Group and MHG Portland LLC, according to the Portland Press Herald. They allege the hotel kept a portion of gratuities for itself or distributed some tip money to managers or other employees who don't perform server duties. Williams has worked there since 2004 and Stone since 2011. Their attorney, Hillary Schwab of Boston, wasn't sure how many other banquet servers would join the suit.
A revised state law allows hospitality businesses to add a service charge that does not have to be paid to wait staff, but anything classified as gratuity must go to servers.
Lichten & Liss-Riordan of Boston has represented plaintiffs in two other similar lawsuits in Maine. One against Union Bluff Hotel in York was settled for $28,000. Another against the Cliff House & Motels in Ogunquit went to the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, but a decision has not been made, according to the paper.
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