One maintenance worker, who is Irish Catholic, has raised serious concerns about his treatment at a charity in the Bronx formed by the sisters of St. Vincent de Paul. He claims his Protestant supervisor verbally abused him, using derogatory terms like “Catholic f-k” and “stupid Irish asshole.”
The employee, Michael Kerr, described his supervisor’s behavior as relentless. He even alleged that a nun mocked him after he injured himself falling off a ladder.
Throughout his time at Riverdale’s property, Kerr, 57, took pride in his work. However, things took a negative turn when Director Kevin Van Tassel directed a stream of hateful slurs towards him via text—calling him names like “Mick” and “Irish f-k.”
Having grown up a devout Catholic in the Bronx, Kerr proudly introduced his mother to his workplace after being hired in 2017. He described the ongoing abuse as intolerable.
“It’s just too much to endure,” he said emotionally. “I’d hold back my feelings… only to hear him call me ‘Big Dam Irish f-k’ again and again.”
When he decided to speak up, Kerr faced weeks of silence, prompting him to organize a mediation meeting with his supervisor and Van Tassel.
“Can you imagine feeling ignored no matter where you turn?” Kerr said. “They all knew what was happening, but they didn’t care to acknowledge it.”
Kerr sustained serious injuries in October 2023 while assessing a damaged awning at work, resulting in a broken tibia and fibula that required surgery.
Upon returning to work, Kerr noticed a cold reception. He said, “I was limping and moving slower… and the sisters were complaining,” he reported.
“I put so much effort into this job. My legs are ruined, and I need more surgery. On my second day back, I was told I was working slowly.”
Following this, he was sent home, eventually receiving a termination letter a few weeks later. He is now seeking damages for what he claims is an unlawful dismissal.
Joseph Zeziorkowski, Kerr’s lawyer, expressed hope that the organization will reevaluate how it handles such issues. “It’s their duty to act when employees confront these kinds of challenges,” he said.
Both Van Tassel and the charity sisters opted not to comment on the situation.
