An elderly bartender had his hours cut at a Manhattan members-only club because of his age, he claims in a discrimination suit.
Miguel DeOliveria, 79, had been mixing drinks and serving food at The River Club since 1986 for 35 hours a week — plus overtime — until April 2009, when he was reduced to just 14 hours, the suit says.
He was scaled back to just six hours a week in October, despite his “satisfactory work performance,” according to the suit, filed in Queens Supreme Court.
Club spokesman Eric Ruehlmann said DeOliveria was laid off, along with others who had similar “seniority” — either through age or experience.
“The club temporarily reduced the food and beverage operations in accordance with the terms of the union contract,” Ruehlmann said in a statement.
DeOliveria, who declined to comment further on the case, is seeking an unspecified amount for damages.
He was described by neighbors at his Queens residence as a “well-dressed” and “classy” man who enjoyed working despite a recent knee surgery.
The exclusive River Club occupies five floors of The River House co-op building at East 52nd Street and the East River. The 62,000-square-foot space was recently put on the market for the first time since 1931 for $130 million.