Hooters in Bakersfield named in employee lawsuit

Summary

Three dozen current and former Hooters workers are suing over work and wage violations, saying they were forced to buy their own uniforms and work without pay.

Story Created: Mar 18, 2010 at 12:34 PM PDT

Story Updated: Mar 18, 2010 at 6:56 PM PDT

Hooters in Bakersfield named in employee lawsuit
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- Three dozen current and former Hooters workers are suing over work and wage violations, saying they were forced to buy their own uniforms and work without pay.

The national restaurant chain and several locations in California are named in the suit. CBS 13 in Sacramento lists Bakersfield among the locations, as well as Natomas, Sacramento, Rancho Cordova and Fresno.

Attorneys representing the former and current employees filed two lawsuits seeking class-action status Tuesday in Sacramento and Los Angeles. They follow a lawsuit filed in San Francisco last year.

The plaintiffs say the Atlanta-based franchise required them to buy their own uniforms, work off the clock and failed to provide lunch breaks as required by law. The lawsuits say managers skimmed money from tips.

San Francisco attorney Burt Boltuch says the employees are seeking millions in reimbursement and penalties.

Hooters did not immediately return an e-mailed request for comment on Wednesday.
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Eyewitness News staff contributed to this report.