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Two black women filed a class-action lawsuit yesterday against the Hair Cuttery, alleging that the chain of unisex hair salons charges black customers more for services because of their race and sometimes refuses to serve them. Monica Clark of Capitol Heights and Leslie Mercer of Reston claim in the lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt, that they were mistreated because of their race repeatedly at several Hair Cuttery locations in the Washington area. The suit was filed against two Falls Church companies, Creative Hairdressers Inc., which owns Hair Cuttery, and Ratner Cos., which operates the chain as well as other salons. The Hair Cuttery, which has 800 locations across the United States, denied that the chain practices discrimination. "We are deeply concerned by these allegations, and we are looking into this matter with great diligence. Discrimination in any form never has been, and never will be, tolerated at Hair Cuttery," Marie Manning, a Hair Cuttery spokeswoman, wrote in an e-mail. "All of our Stylists are required to provide shampoo, cut and style services to any person, regardless of hair type or race. It's the law, and any Stylist who does not abide by this policy will be terminated." Manning wrote that stylists are given training "to ensure that all clients are treated with fairness, equality and sensitivity." Gregory L. Murphy, an attorney for the plaintiffs, said there is evidence of repeated violations at various Hair Cuttery locations. "We know of complaints in multi-state jurisdictions," he said. "How can you have all these complaints if you are abiding by this policy?" [more]