Employee fired after asking for mask mandate

“We ask people ... to not patronize this business and to bring pressure on Real Art Ways to bring this into alignment with its own mission.” Bernardo Mclaughlin

An employee of Real Art Ways was fired on Thursday for what he said was termed “gross insubordination” after presenting Executive Director Will K. Wilkins with a demand for a mask mandate and $15 an hour hazard pay for front-of-house employees at the Hartford art space.

Bernardo Mclaughlin, who has worked part time for nine years in a front-of-house position, said eight front-of-house staffers signed the demand, and six of them presented it to Wilkins.

“He fired me in front of us six. They stood with me,” Mclaughlin said.

Wilkins, in response to Mclaughlin’s allegations, said, “I am not in a position to talk about personnel matters.”

The petition, among other statements, said staffers “expect management’s full support in the unlikely scenario that a customer elects to put us at undue risk by not wearing a mask at the counter, and we are forced to refuse service.”

Mclaughlin said that he is paid $16 an hour, but his peers make less than $15.

After his termination, Mclaughlin and sympathizers picketed outside the 56 Arbor St. location.

“We ask people to support the front-of-house staff and to not patronize this business and to bring pressure on Real Art Ways to bring this into alignment with its own mission,” he said.

Mary Sanders of Hartford, arriving at Real Art Ways on Thursday, commented, “I wanted to see a movie, but I don’t want to cross a picket line,” before leaving.

One of those standing beside Mclaughlin in his protest was Peython Echeson-russell, who has worked part time, front of house since June. “We have repeatedly asked management to back us up in requiring masks. They have repeatedly refused. We are told we can’t deny services,” Echeson-russell said. “We want the collective power to not be berated and intimidated by upper management.”

Tricia Haggerty Wenz, director of development, responded, “We would never let anyone go who was protecting the health and safety of people here.”

Diego Vasquez, communications manager, said Real Art Ways is confident that its mask rules are sufficient.

“Staff and public are strongly encouraged to wear masks, which are provided upon request,” Vasquez said, citing the advice of Sten Vermund, the dean of Yale School of Public Health.

Wilkins added “I don’t know a strong difference in a moment in time between a strong suggestion and a mandate.”