Starbucks workers rude to deaf customers, suit alleges

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Omaha World Herald

Some Starbucks workers in New York city were so rude to deaf customers they mocked them and called the police to try to get them kicked out, a lawsuit says. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and an order from the court to stop discriminatory behavior for what's described as multiple occasions of abuse over the past year. The suit, filed in federal court in Manhattan last week on behalf of 12 people, says one Starbucks Corp. employee laughed hysterically at a plaintiff's speech while others objected to a monthly meeting of a group of deaf people named Deaf Chat Coffee and called police. Starbucks spokeswoman Jamie Riley said the Seattle-based company is investigating. “Discrimination of any kind at Starbucks in unacceptable,” she said.


Read more: http://www.omaha.com/article/20130717/MONEY/130719530/1707#starbucks-workers-rude-to-deaf-customers-suit-alleges

[Journeyman]

1. Man, I'd make a terrible bigot . . .

I just couldn't find the fun in hassling anyone.

[demwing]

2. ^THIS!^ /nt

[7962]

3. Another good reason not to pay 6.00 for a drink without alcohol!

[WestSeattle2]

4. Hate to hear about this hateful behavior - pretty ugly stuff. n/t

[msanthrope]

5. When the NYPD apologizes to you, and reprimands the person who called the cops, then you know you've

got a viable case.

The police were summoned to a Starbucks store at Astor Place on March 7 after more than 10 people, some of whom bought coffee and pastries, gathered for the monthly meeting, the suit alleges.

Those participating in the meeting were "shocked and frightened" when police responded to a report of a disturbance, a meeting being conducted without a permit and an allegation that most deaf people at the store weren't paying customers.


The police officers found no illegal conduct and apologized to the plaintiffs before reprimanding Starbucks employees for calling them, the lawsuit said. The plaintiffs had suffered humiliation, embarrassment and emotional pain and suffering as a result of the Starbucks employees' actions, it said.

The complaint says they sent an email to Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz and other upper management. A regional vice president apologized and offered them a Starbucks gift card.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57593975/starbucks-sued-for-allegedly-mocking-deaf-patrons-in-nyc/