She’s Head-to-Head With La Costa in a Hairy, Tangled Labor Dispute
The question: Was it a “self-termination”? Or a case of hairy inconsistency?
La Costa Resort Hotel & Spa insists it was the former.
But Kerry Powers, whose braids, beads and cornrows are at issue, says the latter: that others have done similar things and not been hassled.
Powers, 20, has been working as a full-time hostess (at $5.15 per hour) at the resort’s Brasserie restaurant for three years. Plus going to MiraCosta College at night and doing some modeling (you may have seen her in ads for Longs Drugs and Dean’s Photos).
To pep up her modeling portfolio (“I’m a California blonde”), she decided to try a new hairstyle. She spent $100 and five hours at the hairstylist.
The trouble began the next time she showed up for work. She was sent to the personnel department to receive a lecture about having an “eccentric” hairstyle that is not in sync with the resort.
She was told to take out the braids, beads and cornrows, or wear a wig. She was sent home to decide.
“I’d feel humiliated to have to wear a wig,” says Powers.
“It’s not like she shaved her head or wore a Mohawk or dyed her hair pink or purple,” said her mother, Linda.
Powers notes that other employees have worn expressive hairstyles, including a fellow in the beauty salon who wears a blue-streaked ponytail down his back.
Maureen Gonzalez, the resort’s director of public relations, says La Costa has a strict dress and grooming code for all employees.
“They’re very conservative at La Costa,” she says. “Hairstyles must be appropriate.”
Alas, the code does not spell out what’s appropriate. Interpretation is case-by-case.
Gonzalez says Powers was not fired: that she is a case of “self-termination” for refusing to restyle her hair.
As far as La Costa’s concerned, that’s that. Powers, however, is not giving up that easy; she’s thinking about hiring an attorney.
She wonders if someone misinterpreted her hairstyle as a (fashion) statement of rebellion. If so, she says, they’re wrong:
“I am not a rebel.”
Fences, Fires, Flaps, Etc.
Take a look.
* Singer Janet Jackson wants a county waiver to build an extra-tall fence at her new home in Rancho Santa Fe Farms. To repel fanatic fans and tabloid photographers.
* The Libertarian Party of San Diego is on record opposing any bailout for burned-out homeowners from the Oakland fire. “Expensive vote-buying shenanigans,” fumes chairman emeritus Dick Rider.
* Mud flap on truck in San Diego: “Horn Not Working. Watch for Finger.”
* The Elephant Alliance holds its first auction and award gala Nov. 8 at All Hallows Church in La Jolla.
Among the items to be auctioned by the San Diego group: artwork, antiques and scripts signed by elephant enthusiasts David Leisure, Sally Struthers, Rue McClanahan, Elvira, Doris Day and Sonny Bono.
Also on the block is a ($450) bronze bust of Dunda, the elephant whose handling at the Wild Animal Park caused a scandal and brought the alliance together.
* Two mountain bicycles have been donated by the Crime Commission for use by cops in East San Diego. For cruising the streets and chasing suspects in canyons.
Bikes are also used in San Ysidro and at the beaches.
* A free job-hunting seminar is set for Nov. 16 for journalists facing an uncertain future because of the pending merger of the San Diego Union and Tribune: “Life After the Merger: Career Options and Strategies.”
Sponsors: The Society of Professional Journalists and San Diego Press Club. Site: Point Loma Nazarene College.
* Who says law enforcement is all grim and serious?
Rick Pinckard, Sheriff’s Department legal counsel, returned from vacation Tuesday to find one wall of his office painted brilliant lavender and the office festooned with hearts, streamers and a lacy banner.
Call it a pre-Halloween prank. (For any Libertarians in the crowd, it was not done at government expense).
Don’t Look for Winfield Back in S.D.
Baseball player Dave Winfield, in an essay for Life Magazine’s new book, “The Meaning of Life”:
“I’ve played in San Diego. Believe me, I was hoping there was more to life than that.”
Well, excuuuuuuuuse us.