Working The Third Shift

The US restaurant industry employs 10 million workers, including 2 million mothers. It is one of the largest segments of the US economy, and it is an area of consistent growth, even in the recession.

But industry growth does not bring wage or benefit growth to restaurant workers. 60% of all US workers earning below the minimum wage work in food preparation or service occupations; 25% of all US workers earning the minimum wage also work in the industry. And, as we have written about many times, restaurant workers rarely have access to health insurance or paid sick days.

So why are we writing about this today? A new report from the Restaurant Opportunities Center looks at the child care needs of restaurant and food preparation industry workers, and comes up with the following findings:

• Child care is not affordable for mothers working in restaurants.
• Lack of control over work schedules and distance from child care facilities makes access to care difficult.
• These and other barriers to childcare have led to unemployment and underemployment for mothers in the industry.

You can read the whole report at http://rocunited.org/the-third-shift/.

Free Flu Vaccines for Restaurant Workers - Jan. 22 12-4pm

From our friends at the Restaurant Opportunities Center Philadelphia.  To get involved with the Restaurant Opportunities Center, a national restaurant workers organization, or to learn more about their work with the Coalition for Healthy Families and Workplaces earned sick day campaign in Philadelphia, please email sheila@rocunited.org.

Sign up online:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?fromEmail=true&formkey=dEowdnU5ekFMekdUWTQ0VVhkVDZ2eHc6MQ

During the worst flu season in a decade, 93% of restaurant workers in Philadelphia do not have access to health insurance or earned sick days. As a result 2/3 of restaurant workers have reported having to work while sick. The lack of sick days afforded to restaurant workers creates a breeding ground for a public health crisis during flu season. According to the American Journal of Public Health, lack of paid sick time led to an estimated 5 million additional cases of H1N1 flu in 2009.

In order to keep restaurant workers, their families and consumer safe during restaurant week, the Restaurant Opportunities Center and Thomas Jefferson University, Center for Urban Studies are partnering to provide free flu vaccinations for restaurant workers.

Vaccines will take place on January 22 from 12-4pm at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Center for Urban Health. 211 South 9th St, Suite 313 (across the street from the NeuroScience Hospital).

To register for a vaccine, please fill out the form here.

Please also take a moment to sign the petition asking City Councilman James Kenney (former restaurant worker) to vote YES on the earned sick day bill coming before City Council Jan. 24, 2013. http://www.change.org/petitions/councilman-james-kenney-vote-yes-on-earned-sick-days

Listen to "Good Businesses Providing a Good Place to Work" Wednesday the 19th at Noon!

Trust Across America, a national radio show on the Voice America Variety

channel, will air “Good Businesses Providing a Good Place to Work” Wednesday, December, 19 at noon.

During the hour long show, hosts Stephenie Hendricks and Richard Eidlin will explore a number of strategies that help to shape a good workplace; including the emerging field of the Culture of the Workplace, and other issues such as earned sick days and minimum wage.

The guests represent businsses from across the country and include:
Andy Shallal-Owner of Busboys and Poets and Eatonville Restaurants, Member of D.C. Restaurant Industry Roundtable
Jason Michaud-owner of LOCAL and Redhill Restaurant, Member of L.A. Restaurant Industry Roundtable;
Lew Prince-Managing Partner, Vintage Vinyl in St. Louis, MO.

Please listen and Call-In at (866) 472-5787 on Wednesday!