DEARBORN – Employees of Andiamo Dearborn filed a federal lawsuit against the restaurant on Tuesday for minimum wage and overtime pay violations.

Labor activists demonstrate outside Andiamo Dearborn in support of restaurant workers who filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday against the Italian eatery, claiming wage violations and discrimination.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of eight current and former Andiamo servers and bussers while labor activists demonstrated outside the restaurant on Michigan Avenue.
Andiamo representatives have denied any wrongdoing.

Workers and labor rights groups have demonstrated regularly against the Italian eatery since November, culminating in a Tuesday protest organized by the Restaurant Opportunities Center.

“Employees routinely experienced illegal wage deductions, off-the-clock violations, and worked 60 to 70 hours a week without receiving overtime,” the Restaurant Opportunities Center said in a statement. “Employees of color also complained of a lack of promotions based on race and national origin, and female workers cited examples of gender discrimination.”

The plaintiffs, including at least one Arab American and several other ethnic minorities, claim they’re owed over $125,000 in unpaid wages and damages, according to the ROC. Some claim to have been fired or had hours reduced in retaliation for complaining or protesting.

Andiamo claimed in its statement that the firings were implemented solely because of customer complaints about specific employees.

“When workers’ basic rights are violated on the job, workers, consumers, and the community suffer,” said ROC-Michigan coordinator Minsu Longiaru. “We will stand with these workers until they see justice.”

“Rather than believe unproven words on paper,” read a statement from Andiamo attorneys, “come to Andiamo of Dearborn and you will see the reality.”