Minimum Wage Strike Backfires, Employer Closes
December 25, 2013 by B. Christopher Agee 14 Comments
Protesters from coast to coast have engaged in recent efforts to artificially raise the minimum wage to unsustainable levels. If successful, these shortsighted strikers will ensure massive layoffs and a sharp spike in retail prices to absorb the increased operating expense.
Sometimes, however, the strikes themselves can lead to similar unintended consequences. Such was the case with Snarf’s Sub Shop in Chicago, which was the site of a minimum wage rally earlier this month.
After four straight days of dormancy due to the strike outside, the sandwich shop apparently had great difficulty recovering. Though the store’s management denies any correlation, the business’ 20 employees received an electronic pink slip just two days before Christmas.
Moving forward, the store’s owners are considering the possible launch of a completely different restaurant next year – apparently without the workers who staged the detrimental walkout.
“The store is closing … for an unknown period of time for this remodeling and reconcepting,” an email to all employees stated. “All staff is terminated, effective Monday, December 23, 2013.”
While strikes at franchise locations of major corporations – such as McDonald’s and Subway – came and went with little effect on their bottom line, smaller operations are often unable to bounce back.
Snark’s marketing director Jill Preston said the closure is due to a slow Christmas season; however, the shop has operated through the month of December in previous years without closing completely. Furthermore, the shop is set to reopen as a completely different entity, leaving its legacy as a sandwich destination behind.
Preston concluded former employees will be able to apply for a position at the new restaurant. At that point, management will be able to decide whether to welcome back employees whose unreasonable demands forced the business to shut down for four days.
The offer was not sufficient for the Worker’s Organizing Committee of Chicago, the union behind this and a number of other area strikes.
Members of the union picketed the now-closed business Monday, seeking severance pay and replacement jobs for the fired employees.
“Three days before Christmas and not even a call,” communications director Deivid Rojas said in response, concluding the situation is “not fair.”
Only in the leftist mind does a participant in such a disruptive display deserve a reward from the victim of his tantrum.
The fact remains that operating a business – especially a restaurant – is a delicate balancing act. While most employers are happy to pay worthwhile employees what they are worth, indiscriminately paying more will not only result in a loss of revenue but an eventual loss of jobs.
Read more at
http://www.westernjournalism.com/minimum-wage-strike-backfires-employer-closes/#pxO1ZawDU0o5fvsy.99