Four Patina restaurant employees who work in the Italy pavilion of EPCOT are demanding Patina pay them $134,449.72 for years of alleged wage theft. This is the latest in a years-long fight by Patina Restaurant Group employees to improve their working conditions.
Patina Employees Demand Pay for Off-the-Clock Work
Patina employees LaQuita Huguely, Ismael Gonzalez, Berenice Rodriguez, and Jennifer Quiñones were joined by Congressman Maxwell Frost and State Representative Anna Eskamani at a UNITE HERE Local 737 press conference on Wednesday, June 17.
The four workers sent Patina a formal demand letter seeking payment within two weeks. They allege that Patina failed to compensate them for all the time they worked, including time that should have been paid at contractual overtime or holiday rates. They state that for the past five years, they have worked without pay before clocking in each day.
If they are not compensated, the workers plan to file a federal lawsuit against Patina alleging violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
“This is another example of why I voted for no new business for Patina. We should not have to fight to be paid for time we already worked,” Jennifer Quiñones said. “Patina needs to pay us what we are owed before it is rewarded with any new business on Disney property.”
Attorney Jose Javier Rodriguez, who is representing the four workers, said, “The law is very simple and very clear: If you’re working, you should be paid. The company’s violation is not some minor legal technicality. The workers were asked to work for free. They weren’t allowed to clock in for pre-shift work, except for a two-week period last year, after which the company decided to go back to relying on their off-the-clock work. It’s time for Patina to make things right for these workers and to respect the law and their workers’ rights.”
U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost said, “All that these workers are saying is, ‘Pay us what we’re owed.’ They’re not looking for any more or any less. They’re saying, ‘Pay us what we’re owed for the work that we have done to benefit your company and our community.’”
Florida State Rep. Anna V. Eskamani added, “No matter what your political viewpoint is, we can all agree that when you do the work, you should get paid, period.”
This demand follows a complaint issued this month by a regional director of the National Labor Relations Board alleging Patina unlawfully fired Disney Springs employee Julissa “Julie” Ruiz in retaliation for her reporting sexual harassment by a supervisor. Last year, UNITE HERE Local 737 sponsored a petition to reinstate Ruiz. A trial on the complaint is scheduled for September 15, 2026.
“Part of why I started organizing my union is because I want all women to be paid fairly and be able to speak up at work,” Ruiz said.
Patina operates Tutto Italia, Tutto Gusto, and Via Napoli in EPCOT, as well as multiple Disney Springs restaurants.
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