Countywide : Red Onion Reviews Hiring, Training Policies

Officials of the Red Onion restaurant chain greeted a proposal to revise the company’s hiring and training policies favorably Wednesday after meeting with their attorney.

Stephen Solomon, vice president of the Carson-based restaurant chain, said the company would disclose the details of the proposed changes after “minor contractual details” were worked out with the author of the proposal, consultant Nathaniel Trives.

“We are favorably impressed with his report,” Solomon said. “We are moving ahead.”

The firm’s discotheques are under fire for allegedly turning away some nonwhite patrons. Although the company consistently has denied that it has discriminatory policies, lawyers said changes were initiated in order to correct “the perception of a problem.”

Three lawsuits and more than 50 racial discrimination complaints have been filed against the company by people who had sought entrance to Red Onions in Santa Ana, Fullerton, Riverside and Palm Desert. The allegations are also being investigated by the state Department of Fair Employment and Housing, the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage and Control and the City of Riverside.

One of the suits was filed Wednesday by Russell Kerr, an attorney in Westminster. The Superior Court action, on behalf of 20 people, claims that they were refused entry at the Red Onion because of their race.

“We want to send a message to the community that this type of conduct will not be tolerated . . . ,” Kerr said. “By bringing to the public’s attention the Red Onion’s alleged practices, we hope to serve notice that there is a severe price to be paid for racial discrimination.”

The suit seeks penalties of at least $250 for each violation of California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act in addition to unspecified general and punitive damages.

Solomon said he would not comment on the lawsuit.