by Bailey Haack
Seven of the 16 middle-aged cocktail waitresses fired from Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City are claiming age and sex discrimination in their lawsuit filed Thursday.
The 16 waitresses were all long-time employees who were fired after being told to put on the new uniforms and be photographed and judged on their appearances. According to the New York Daily News, the waitresses claim that the uniforms were only available in sizes 2 and 4.
Union officials, according to MSNBC, say that the casino, which recently changed ownership, is trying to cultivate a younger-based clientele, and the new flapper-style uniforms are a way to get rid of the older waitresses.
The discrimination lawsuit charges Resorts and the new owner Dennis Gomes for firing the women for failing to fit the boss's "body ideal or appearance ideal," according to the Daily News.
"As far as I'm concerned, a man or woman can do that job at any age," said lawyer Kevin Costello, "as long as they have a good personality, a good memory, and good balance." The Daily News said that the suit charged that the women's replacements were all younger, attractive women.
Resorts issued a written statement saying, "All cocktail servers were given individual consideration and the selection process was conducted in a fair and objective manner. We empathize with the servers who lost their jobs and gave them hiring preference in other open positions at Resorts."
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