The Heartland Mamas talk with Brandon Lauder a local shift manager at Arby’s in Morris Illinois to discuss why a majority of the staff walked out a week ago to protest the lack of PPE the needed for safe food handling and to protect themselves from COVID-19. These “essential workers” were risking their health and safety coming to work.
These Arby’s workers felt they deserved a greater rate of pay. A dollar or two more per hour for the risks they were taking in food service. Many other local essential businesses had boosted pay or given bonuses to their employees. But not Arby’s! So they performed a #WalkoutWednesday to stand in solidarity with one another in the time of COVID-19
There has been good community support for these workers and they will need you to support them as well.
PPE and decent pay is all anyone can ask in these times. No one ever thought that working in fast food would be so dangerous to your health! And without PPE The Mamas wonder if the customers are safe as well?
These are extreme times. And being brave enough to stand up for your worth takes amazing amounts of courage! We encourage you to call, tweet, message Arbys and their parent company Inspire to live up to their posted COVID-19 proticol – which we are posting below:
http://www.HeartlandMamas.com
#DEMCAST
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Inspire Brands is committed to supporting our guests, team members, and communities while we all take measures to prevent the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). As a company, we have taken several actions during this difficult time, including temporarily closing our dining rooms and moving all of our company-owned Arby’s, Jimmy John’s, Sonic, Buffalo Wild Wings and Rusty Taco restaurants to a “to-go only” model.
With safety top of mind, we have announced the following:
- Temporarily suspended the option to dine-in at all of our company-owned Arby’s, Jimmy John’s, Sonic, Buffalo Wild Wings and Rusty Taco restaurants. Our drive-thru, take out, and curbside pick-up options remain available subject to local regulations.
- Reinforced our robust cleaning standards with more frequent cleaning of high-touch surfaces like doors, bathrooms, and ordering areas.
- Increased the accessibility of hand-sanitizer for our guests.
- Reinforced our strict hygiene standards for our team members, with increased handwashing and encouraged them to stay home if they are sick.
- Announced a Catastrophic Paid Leave Policy for corporate team members.
Our team at Inspire Brands has convened a cross-functional Coronavirus Preparedness Task Force that is helping our team members and franchisees remain informed and prepared as this situation unfolds. We know that this time is not easy for anyone, and we are here to do our part to help.
Additionally, the Inspire Brands Foundation, the charitable arm of Inspire Brands, has announced the launch of a $1 million COVID-19 relief fund dedicated to supporting childhood hunger and restaurant industry relief efforts. To help support America’s youth and restaurant industry workers through a charitable donation, please visit the Inspire Brands Foundation COVID-19 Relief Fund giving page.
