Eatery reverses policy on Armstrong bracelets

The Claim Jumper restaurant chain has rescinded its ban on the wearing of wrist bands by employees, a rule that led to the recent firing of a Nevada City attorney's stepson.

The restaurant chain said Friday it will now permit its employees to wear one cause-related bracelet per wrist, such as the Lance Armstrong "LIVESTRONG" cancer bracelet that Brian McKillip of Rocklin was told to remove while tending bar at the Claim Jumper in Roseville.

McKillip protested that he wore the bracelet to honor relatives who were victims of cancer, left work, and was fired the next day. It was a series of events that quickly triggered negative publicity for the family-style restaurant chain.

The incident also incensed George Roberts, McKillip's stepfather, who has had to battle cancer personally. Roberts protested the dismissal to Robert Ott, CEO of Claim Jumper, and announced plans to picket the Roseville outlet next Friday.

"This incident has made Claim Jumper aware that there can be very deep and personal emotions behind the bracelets," the chain said in a prepared statement. "(McKillip) has lost family members to cancer, and his bracelet is an important statement of a cause we share."

The chain said that in addition to allowing employees to wear bracelets that represent "a qualified national health-related charitable organization," it will donate $10,000 to the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

Roberts had not heard of the policy change when contacted by The Union on Friday, and said he would reserve judgment until he is able to determine the sincerity of Claim Jumper's change of heart.

"I want to make sure that the change in policy is not motivated by an attempt at damage control," he said.

Roberts is also seeking an apology for his stepson, contending that McKillip was fired with the knowledge and approval of corporate executives. "For a week, nobody cared, nobody apologized."

He said he hopes to get these issued resolved with Ott during the next couple of days. Otherwise, Roberts and his 85-year-old mother, a cancer survivor, will be picketing the Roseville restaurant at 5 p.m. Friday.

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To contact staff writer George Boardman, e-mail georgeb@theunion.com or call 477-4236.