'Complete chaos': Workers at Hs Lordships in Berkeley walk off the job during service

Customers at Hs Lordships in Berkeley say that staffers walked out of the restaurant during a brunch service Sunday, about one week ahead of when the restaurant will permanently close. Customers at Hs Lordships in Berkeley say that staffers walked out of the restaurant during a brunch service Sunday, about one week ahead of when the restaurant will permanently close. Photo: Shayla B. / Yelp Photo: Shayla B. / Yelp Image 1 of / 52 Caption Close 'Complete chaos': Workers at Hs Lordships in Berkeley walk off the job during service 1 / 52 Back to Gallery

Customers at a Berkeley establishment say staffers walked out in the middle of brunch service Sunday afternoon in protest, then were not allowed back to work, just one week before the restaurant is set to close permanently.

Witnesses painted a picture of disorder as a group of workers from Hs Lordships reportedly took their breaks simultaneously to protest news that they would be receiving low severance pay as the restaurant sets to close July 1.

An employee who answered the phone at Hs Lordships confirmed that the restaurant was closed for dinner service and that there were no servers working. The employee would not provide a reason for the walkout, stating that he was not at the restaurant when it happened.

James M. Gregory said he was having brunch with family when there was "a noticeable absence in wait staff" and an employee came out to explain the situation.

"A staff member came into the room we were in and announced to all the customers ... that they found out that they will be getting $21 per year of employment in severance pay," Gregory said. "So the union members decided to protest that fact by all taking their breaks at the same time."

The workers attempted to return after their break, according to Gregory, but were not allowed to.

"I personally saw staffers walking towards the door to come in and a woman with a clip board and pen told them one by one, 'You can go home,'" Gregory said to SFGATE of the situation. "At that moment, in my opinion, the staff were expecting to return to work — but they were being shut out."

Another diner, Liz, said she was at the restaurant as part of a friend's wedding anniversary celebration, when she saw the group of about 20 staff members, including servers and kitchen staff, leave the building.

"It was a mess: People confused, people wandering around not knowing what's going on," said Liz, who preferred that her full name not be used.

She said after the walkout the restaurant was in "complete chaos," as remaining staffers told those waiting in line that the restaurant was closing, while those already eating were "helping themselves to the food."

Patrick Stadler, who was with the same wedding anniversary celebration as Liz, confirmed the scene.

"My cousin was gonna celebrate her anniversary, they got married there 15 years ago," Stadler said via direct message to SFGATE. "It was dual purpose, say goodbye and celebrate.

"It was funny: The buffet was still going on until the food was gone. Managers said no new people, but the ones that were there were able to finish the food."

In May, the restaurant announced plans to shutter on July 1, just as the restaurant's 50-year lease with the city was set to expire. Beyond its current staff issues, the restaurant has also recently had problems with its parking lot with over 20 RVs moving onto the Hs Lordships property after being booted from Marina Boulevard in Berkeley.

"It's a really, really sad situation and probably unfair for the people whose blood, sweat and tears went into this restaurant working there for how many years," said Liz of the walkout. "To end it that way is really sad."

Requests for comment from management and its restaurant group, Specialty Restaurants Corporation, were not immediately returned but the story will update once we hear back.