By Yepoka Yeebo
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN - Four former servers at a midtown French bistro have filed a class-action lawsuit against their boss for forcing them to share tips with better-paid members of the restaurant staff.
The restaurant owner, Terrance Brennan, was accused Thursday of violating labor laws by taking tips left for busboys and servers at Artisanal Fromagerie & Bistro and distributing them to maitre d's and cheese-counter employees, the Daily News reported.
Under New York State law, only staff members who interact with customers directly can be tipped. They are paid the lower minimum wage of $4.60 an hour, while other employees get at least $7.25
"We hope this lawsuit will convince restaurateurs across the city not to take tips intended to reward the service staff and use them to supplement the pay of salaried managers," said Rachel Bien, one of the lawyers representing the servers, according to the News.
Brennan denied the practice was unfair.
Two other restaurants owned by Brennan -- Bar Artisanal Restaurant & Tapas Bar in TriBeCa and Picholine on West 64th St. between Broadway and Central Park West -- were not named in the suit.
Brennan won a measure of restaurant fame in 2007 when he was cited by the Guinness Book of World Records for creating a 1,200-pound fondue.
Brennon won
