deaf accuse Starbucks of bias
MANHATTAN (CN) - Starbucks discriminated against the deaf in New York refuse to serve to throw, and to mock the way they talk, 12 customers demand to the Federal Court.
The plaintiffs, most of whom are deaf and use sign language to say discrimination occurred repeatedly over a Starbucks in New York.
Applicants Alan Roth describes a July 2012 incident in which an employee of the Starbucks on Park Avenue South, "he said funny" air, asked him to repeat and laughed hysterically at the way they communicate.
He says that when he spoke with the manager asked the employee became angry and shouted obscenities at her face.
Then Starbucks employee asked Roth to leave and told him he was not welcome in the store, according to the complaint.
Roth said he reported the incident to a manager, to take the measures failed.
Lead plaintiff Lawrence Bitkower, the "deaf coffee chat" organizes a monthly meeting, Starbucks says that his group tried to sell fulfilled before closing the shop and refused to serve.
"About 21.00 clock, 4 hours before the closing time of four Starbucks posted workers the" "had to be cleaned the area they occupied, as it was about," Deaf Coffee Chat Group, the state complaint, which to 1 December 2012 meeting.
"As soon as the" Deaf Coffee Chat group moves, not deaf to allow Starbucks employees process customers in this area and do not clean the area.
"About 21.00 clock, the applicant bordered on Sean Finnerty (Finnerty Mr. ') and began to try to get a job with a Starbucks employee handing his written on a piece of paper to place Starbucks employees.
"The Starbucks employee, Mr. Finnerty refused to serve.
"Confused, Mr. Finnerty has demanded to know why he has not been served.
"The Starbucks employee told Mr. Finnerty writing that Starbucks does not serve the deaf.
"Shocked, humiliated and disgusted, Mr. Finnerty reported what happened to the other Deaf" Deaf Chat Coffee 'and the manager "Ziyad".
"Plaintiffs Elvira Janturina and Ng Miu with her two other friends who are deaf, have tried to place an order with the Starbucks employees and also refused to serve, because they are deaf.
"Additional requirements for service were made by the petitioners Elvira and Janturina Miu Ng and were of the Starbucks employee that the employee continues to refuse other clients are not deaf.
"Finally, the applicant Janturina Elvira, a non-deaf beg abroad, so that they and their friends deaf to obtain the service.
"Plaintiffs Lawrence Bitkower, Charles Kaufman, and Evan roof spoke with Starbucks employee" Ziyad "to their disgust, as the pigeons were treated with Starbucks. Ziyad" rejected their concerns and said that the manager "said Ziyad, he is not to serve, that the pigeons. "
Plaintiffs allege Starbucks employee discrimination continue at their next meetings in the shop.
If a Starbucks employee who knew about sign language tried to help the deaf clients, she was reprimanded by another employee, according to the complaint.
To make matters worse, at a rally in March 2013 at the same Starbucks, Ziyad, the manager called the police and falsely accused the plaintiff of a fault, according to the complaint.
The police found no illegal behavior, apologizing for her alleged for deaf customers and Starbucks employees, called the complaint says.
But instead of apologizing, Starbucks employee told the plaintiffs that they are not welcome in the store and tried to intimidate them, according to the complaint.
According to the complainant an e-mail to Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz and other executives have sent, regional vice president apologized for the "inconvenience we caused you and your friends" and gave them a Starbucks gift card pre-installed according to the complaint.
But the plaintiffs argue that the company has no significant effect to tackle discrimination, such as the introduction of an investigation or discipline employees.
The plaintiff is seeking an injunction and damages and penalties for violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the laws of the city and state.
They are represented by Eric Eisenberg & tree with tree.