Posted on 01/23/2010 8:16:53 AM PST by Snickersnee
NEW HAVEN — - Here in this liberal stronghold, the news that Atticus Bookstore and Café had imposed a policy restricting employees to speaking English in public areas has been greeted by widespread criticism.
But it took most people a beat or two to get to the harsh words.
"Atticus?" said lawyer Steven D. Jacobs in disbelief. "You're kidding me."
Especially in recent years, New Haven has gone out of its way to distinguish itself as a place welcoming to immigrants, regardless of their legal status. Atticus appeared to fit comfortably, even enthusiastically, into this mosaic.
A stalwart for more than 30 years in a rapidly changing downtown, Atticus prided itself on its quality baked goods, promoted the arts and environmental causes and fostered an air of multiculturalism at its Chapel Street location in the building that houses the Yale Center for British Art.
"A lot of people are shocked that Atticus is doing this," said Deborah Malatesta, a spokeswoman for the New Haven Workers Association, the group that publicized the policy after it was contacted by two angry Atticus employees.
In a statement released Friday, owner Charles Negaro said media reports of an English-only policy are not true.
"If these news reports have offended anyone, I am sorry," said Negaro, who also owns the Chabatta Bakery in New Haven's Fair Haven neighborhood. "Atticus managers and staff are reviewing our policy of appropriate language usage to determine how we can avoid misrepresentations of this kind in the future."
That does not go far enough for Malatesta, who said the intent of the policy recently posted in the store was explicit.
"Here we speak English: effective immediately the official and only language spoken on the floor and behind the counter is English," said the memo, signed by manager Jean Récapet, who is trilingual and had been known to speak his native French in the store. "Spanish is allowed in the prep area, the dishwasher area and the lower level. Let's make our customers feel welcome and comfortable."
Malatesta said one worker who complained about the policy was fired this week and should be rehired. A demonstration is planned for noon today in front of the bookstore.
In an interview Friday, Récapet said the policy was to "encourage the usage of English," which he acknowledged was different from English only. He declined to comment on the fired worker.
"English is the primary language in this business," he said.
Negaro has a reputation as a socially responsible, model businessman, who frequently contributes to community causes, said Kica Matos, who has worked with the local immigrant community for nine years. As New Haven's community services administrator in 2007, Matos led the drive to create the Elm City identification card, which earned national attention because it was made available to immigrants even if they weren't in the country legally.
"We have always considered Charles a friend of the immigrant community and a supporter of immigrants' rights, so this is really surprising," Matos said.
New Haven Alderman Joseph E. Rodriguez said he had patronized the café and was so stunned by the news he insisted on seeing the policy for himself before he fully believed it. Then he shot off a letter to Negaro calling it "troubling, divisive and discriminatory."
Despite management's promise to review the policy, Rodriguez said Friday, "My concerns still stand."
Jacobs, the attorney, has represented workers who have been fired for violating English-only policies. He said federal and state laws permit such a policy, but only if it is necessary to promote the productivity and efficiency of a business or for a safety concern.
"This policy appears to address none of those things," Jacobs said.
In the bustling café Friday, Récapet said management was "working very hard" on reviewing its policy and appeared confident that the controversy would soon pass. He said he was proud that he started an English tutoring program a few years ago that partnered store employees with Yale students. About 14 employees currently participate, with Atticus paying for books and materials, he said.
When a customer complimented him for selling a good cup of coffee for only $1, he smiled broadly.
"And it's organic and free trade," he said.
Copyright © 2010, The Hartford Courant
If the question were "immigrants", people who come here to make a life as Americans, I might have some sympathy.
If the true question is ILLEGALS, who come here to take all they can and send it back "home", I have no sympathy whatsoever.
I think of the Jack-In-The-Box in my neighborhood where the Mexican manager recently fired an excellent white employee, only to replace her with two Mexicans who struggle with English and have atrocious manners. No thanks - I'll buy elsewhere.
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