The Ritz-Carlton, Huntington Hotel & Spa in Pasadena was hit by a lawsuit Thursday by two employees charging they were not paid overtime and were not allowed to take breaks during shifts. The suit highlights growing tensions between workers and management at the hotel, which is the subject of a campaign to organize. Complaints have also been filed recently with Department of Fair Employment and Housing and the National Labor Relations Board, charging the hotel with failing to maintain staff equipment, leaving the hotel understaffed, and creating an oppressive work environment including racial discrimination. Employees hope the lawsuit attains class-action status and aids the move to organize.
See "Staffers sue Ritz hotel in Pasadena", Kimi Yoshino, Los Angeles Times, August 30, 2007