NORTHAMPTON — Around 12 former and current employees of Iron Horse Entertainment Group intend to pursue legal action against the Northampton venue company, alleging wage theft.
Rose Bookbinder, co-director of the Pioneer Valley Workers Center, confirmed that the employees have either filed complaints to the attorney general’s office or “are exploring other steps” to take legal action regarding the numerous alleged labor law violations leveled against the company and its owner, Eric Suher, as originally detailed in a New England Public Radio report.
Suher faces alleged labor law violations relating to working hours, late paychecks, paid sick leave, verbal abuse on the job and other workplace rights.
Five have formally filed complaints against IHEG to the attorney general’s Fair Labor Division, according to a spokeswoman for the AG’s office.
IHEG comprises Northampton venues Iron Horse Music Hall, the Calvin Theatre, Pearl Street Nightclub and The Basement, and Mountain Park in Holyoke.
“We’re sort of reviewing both short- and long-term goals,” Bookbinder said, “and it will probably make sense for there to be a class-action lawsuit.”
The exact nature of the legal action will come down to “what the workers themselves want,” she added.
“Unfortunately, this is a systemic problem,” Bookbinder said. “A lot of employers violate wage laws, and it’s important that workers come together and organize, and realize they can hold employers responsible for violating the law.”
Attempts to contact Suher by phone Tuesday were unsuccessful.
Jacquelyn Voghel can be reached at jvoghel@gazettenet.com.