Batali Reaches $1.15 Million Settlement in Del Posto Suit

Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich have reached a settlement in a class action lawsuit by current and former Del Posto employees that claims the restaurateurs cheated them out of wages. The Wall Street Journal reports that Batali and Bastianich's agreement with the group includes a $1.15 million settlement, in addition to expanded sick days and vacation time, a formal promotions policy, and sensitivity training for managers at the restaurant. The 31 employees are part of an advocacy group called the Restaurant Opportunities Center.

Batali and Bastianich have now paid out almost $6.5 million to aggrieved employees this year, after settling a separate lawsuit for $5.25 million back in March. That one started as a suit related to Babbo but then grew to the point that it included the entire group. Together, this is why Bastianich has declared they'll never open another New York restaurant.
· Batali Settles Case with Restaurant Workers Group [WSJ]
· All Coverage of Mario Batali [~ENY~]
[Photo]