A group of banquet workers is suing The Waldorf-Astoria in Manhattan, claiming the luxury hotel failed to pay them the tips they were owed.
The nine workers allege in a federal class action lawsuit filed Thursday that the hotel broke state labor laws by skimming money from service charges and special banquet gratuities that customers thought they were paying as tips for service.
The suit alleges that the hotel has been keeping the money or using it to pay other employees since February 2004.
The Waldorf-Astoria is a landmark of Art Deco-style architecture in the city and has over 1,000 rooms.