Former employees of Chicago-based coffee roaster and cafe chain Bow Truss plan to announce Monday they have filed a wage theft lawsuit against the company and its management.
In mid-January, all local locations of Bow Truss shut down as the business struggled to pay employees and rent. The company’s employees said at the time they closed stores and refused to return after many had paychecks bounce. All but two locations — one in the Loop and another in River North — have remained closed.
Bow Truss closures leave some employees ready to move on Meg Graham
Employees of Bow Truss coffee shops say many still haven’t been paid since Chicago locations were closed last week — and some are now looking to “move on.”
Holly Kent-Payne, a former barista at Bow Truss’ Logan Square location, said many employees have been sharing job leads and updates via a Facebook…
Employees of Bow Truss coffee shops say many still haven’t been paid since Chicago locations were closed last week — and some are now looking to “move on.”
Holly Kent-Payne, a former barista at Bow Truss’ Logan Square location, said many employees have been sharing job leads and updates via a Facebook…
(Meg Graham)
A group of former employees said they planned to announce they’ve filed the lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court Monday morning at a press conference outside Bow Truss’ 406 N. Wells St. location, according to a press release from Chicago Progressive Reform Caucus spokeswoman Joanna Klonsky.
State Sen. Daniel Biss, Ald. Scott Waguespack and Ald. Ricardo Muñoz plan to attend the conference, according to the release.
Bow Truss founder Phil Tadros, reached by phone Monday morning, said the company has tried to pay missed wages, but that it’s been difficult to reach all employees now that they’re not working at the stores. He said he believed the employees who filed the suit had been paid.
“As horrible as it is to be late, we definitely tried really hard to patch everybody up as soon as possible,” he said. He said any former employee with outstanding issues should contact the company.
“We’re very approachable, responsive, helpful and reasonable — as horrible as the situation has been, we weren’t ignoring anybody.”
mgraham@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @megancgraham
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