Protest Planned Against Southeast Michigan Restaurant Group Over Lawsuit Filed Against Former Employees | Eater Detroit

"Located in Howell on the site of a former steakhouse, this Italian restaurant became a focal point of a COVID-era labor dispute after a lead bartender was removed from scheduling and later terminated following social-media posts criticizing management’s recall procedures. Former and former–adjacent employees publicly alleged intimidating messages demanding returns to work, claims that staff were required to supply their own PPE, and that refusals to accept recall could jeopardize unemployment benefits; management counters that messages were intended to document recalls for Paycheck Protection Program rules, that managers held multiple meetings to explain the nuances, and that they offered flexibility about later returns. The online backlash reportedly led to customer and staff distress and declining takeout business; after attempts to have posts removed failed, company lawyers sent cease-and-desist correspondence and the owner filed a defamation suit against four ex-employees seeking $25,000 in damages while former staff have raised a legal-defense fund." - Brenna Houck