Maor v. One Fifty Fifty Seven Corp.
In this case, Marshall Maor and Gina Garcia, catering staff for the Russian Tea Room, sued One Fifty Fifty Seven Corp. and RTR Funding Group, Inc. for withheld gratuities under Labor Law § 196-d. The Supreme Court initially denied defendants' summary judgment motion against Maor and granted Maor's motion for class certification and to add Garcia as a plaintiff. The Appellate Division modified this decision, dismissing the Labor Law § 196-d claim against RTR Funding and limiting the certified class to workers from 2008-2010 due to changes in the Hospitality Wage Order. The court otherwise affirmed the lower court's rulings, including the addition of Garcia as a plaintiff and the basis for establishing employer control over the catering staff.