Today is the day unions have selected to target McDonalds (target?) in an attempt to bolster support for a $15 minimum wage. But are fast food workers prepared for to trade the drive-thru line for the unemployment line? Read:
Job losses are exactly what are happening on military bases, after Obama announced minimum wage hikes among employees of federal contractors:
Four restaurants, including three McDonald’s outlets, will close within the next three weeks on Navy installations, according to Navy Exchange Service Command officials.
And two other contractors — a name-brand sandwich eatery and a name-brand pizza parlor — have asked to be released from their Army and Air Force Exchange Service contracts to operate fast food restaurants at two other installations, according to AAFES officials.
A source with knowledge of military on-base resale operations said the issue likely has to do with two new government regulations — one implemented, one pending — that will affect wages for contract workers in such on-base concessions.
These closings “are the tip of the iceberg,” the source said. “I don’t think anybody has realized what the far-reaching effects of this will be.”
And for those restaurants that don’t close down, the employees can look forward to being replaced by cheap telescreens that don’t whine for higher wages.
There’s a reason private-sector unionism is almost dead in this country, and the reason is private-sector union bosses who care more about headlines than workers.
For what it’s worth, I went through the McDonalds drive-thru today to show my solidarity with management and owners.
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