Snarf’s Sub Shop in Chicago fired all of its employees through an email on Sunday night, three days before Christmas. Coincidentally, the employees were involved in a protest of the low wages paid by fast-food companies less than three weeks earlier.
The company’s email informed the 20 employees that their termination was effective the next day. Just please return all keys and company property “to Will Ravert at 600 West Chicago Avenue on Monday, December 23, 2014 during normal business hours.” The reason given for the termination of ALL its employees is that the store is being ‘remodeled’ and ‘reconceptualized’. So … a remodeled store doesn’t need any employees? What are they going to run the place with? Robots?
Snarf’s ‘suggestions’ to ex-employees are a slap-in-the-face.
In an additional slap-in-the-face, the email suggested that the former employees apply for unemployment benefits. Plus, for good measure, it delivered a kick-in-the-teeth as they lay on the ground: they were invited to “Keep an eye out for the grand opening of the new store.” Really? What an exciting prospect that must be for the newly terminated!
Surely the blow was softened, however, by the last of the communication’s eight bullet points: “Ownership appreciates your service and wish you well in your new endeavors.” Sweet, huh?
Company denies link to low-wage protests.
Now, back to the ‘coincidence’. Snarf’s was closed from December 5th to 8th because its workers joined other protesters from fast-food chains like McDonald’s, Subway, and Potbelly to highlight the fact that they can’t live on the low wages the restaurants pay. A spokesperson for Snarf’s said the protest and the firing just ‘happened’ to coincide.
It seems the sub shop got some significant backlash for their ill-considered actions. The day after Christmas, owner and CEO Jim Seidel apologized, saying:
It was insensitive and poorly planned. We recognize now we acted rashly. For this, we apologize to our employees and to our loyal customers who we know we’ve disappointed.
Nothing creates enlightenment like bad publicity, which was immediate. After receiving the termination by email, two-year employee Genny Ramos posted the change in her ‘employment status’ as her new ‘Facebook status’. From there, she was put in touch with a reporter from Chicago Grid. Suddenly, the restaurant started bending over backwards to make nice with its former employees.
Workers’ union demands, and gets, concessions.
The union that organized the strike, the Worker’s Organizing Committee of Chicago (WOCC), demanded that Snarf’s do more than apologize. Its communications director, Deivid Rojas, said:
These workers and their families depend on their salaries to meet their basic necessities. We demand that Snarf’s reinstate these terminated workers once they reopen and pay them severance.
Lo and behold, Jim Seidel announced on Thursday that his ex-workers would receive an additional week’s pay. And, they are welcome to apply for jobs at the new, ‘reconceptualized’ restaurant when it opens next month.
Nothing can create a Christmas miracle faster than damage to the bottom line!
Employees fired from Chicago sub shop days before Christmas - by email