In a dramatic legal showdown, two former bartenders have taken their grievances to the federal court, alleging significant labor violations by their previous employer. On April 15, 2025, Jordan Buckey and William Trevor filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against Henry’s Uptown Bar, LLC. The plaintiffs claim that the bar misclassified them as independent contractors to avoid paying due wages and overtime, violating the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
The lawsuit accuses Henry’s Uptown Bar of several infractions, including failing to pay minimum wage and overtime as mandated by FLSA. Buckey and Trevor allege that they were improperly classified as independent contractors rather than employees, which exempted them from receiving proper compensation for hours worked beyond the standard 40-hour workweek. According to the complaint, "Defendant willfully classified Plaintiffs as independent contractors," resulting in unpaid wages and undue tax burdens on the plaintiffs.
Furthermore, Buckey claims she was subjected to sexual harassment by patrons who were friendly with one of the bar's owners. Despite reporting these incidents to Stephen Gogreve, an owner at Henry’s Uptown Bar, her complaints were allegedly ignored, perpetuating a hostile work environment. The complaint states that Buckey was asked to keep her harassment reports confidential among herself and the owners.
The plaintiffs are seeking various forms of relief from the court. They demand injunctive and declaratory relief against Henry’s Uptown Bar's unlawful actions. Additionally, they seek compensation for minimum wage violations, unpaid overtime wages, return of unlawful deductions from tips, liquidated damages equal to unpaid wages, pre-judgment and post-judgment interest, and attorneys’ fees and costs under FLSA provisions. Specifically for Buckey's harassment claims, she seeks damages for emotional distress caused by a hostile work environment.
Representing the plaintiffs is attorney Laura L. Catlett from Metairie, Louisiana. The case has been assigned Case ID 2:25-cv-00747 but does not yet list any presiding judges.