Labor organizations join fight for woman’s unemployment
Lori Seaman is a single mother of five without a job and facing eviction from her Canonsburg home. She was seeking unemployment benefits following her dismissal from the South Strabane Township Olive Garden in late June, but said her ex-employer is contesting her application.
Wednesday afternoon, she got ROC-solid support from a national organization.
Jordan Romanus, organizer of the Pittsburgh chapter of Restaurant Opportunities Centers United, a restaurant workers advocacy organization, was among a half-dozen Seaman supporters who entered Olive Garden in the Old Mill project on Washington Road. Romanus presented a letter to the restaurant manager, Bill McCullen, near the front desk, asking the chain to back off.
The letter states, in part, that Seaman is “fighting for unemployment as she was terminated from her server position … for voicing her concerns regarding management favoritism. … We stand behind Lori and ask that you refrain from fighting her case so that further legal and community action to support Lori and her family does not become necessary.”
Romanus said Olive Garden has been involved in other unemployment cases similar to this.
McCullen, who is fairly new to the South Strabane location, politely told Romanus that “this is a private matter, so I cannot comment.”
Darden Restaurants Inc., owner of the Olive Garden chain, did not return phone calls seeking a response. Orlando, Fla.-based Darden owns six other casual dining chains, including LongHorn Steakhouse, which also is in the Old Mill.
Seaman said she has an attorney and will have a hearing on her case Tuesday.
“It’s been pretty rough,” she said of being out of work for two months. “I’m being evicted. I have a little public assistance, but that’s pretty much it. I’m getting behind on everything.”
Four of her five offspring live at home, ranging in age from 13 to 18. She said a couple of them work and help financially, but can do only so much.
Daughter Hannah, 16, was among her supporters Wednesday, along with Romanus and Lorraine Keeler of ROC, Melissa Lusi and Drew Keele.
The letter was endorsed by 10 organizations: ROC United; ROC’s Dignity at Darden campaign; Pittsburgh United; United Food and Commercial Workers Local 23; Action United; Service Employees International Union Healthcare PA; Fight Back Pittsburgh; Fight for 15; Mon Valley Unemployed Committee; and the Pennsylvania Interfaith Impact Network.