"Workers at the nation’s best known fast-food restaurants in seven cities across America are planning to walk off the job Monday to protest what they say are wages that are too low to live on. In a move orchestrated with the help of powerful labor unions and clergy groups, the workers plan to strike for a day to demand their wages be doubled." (Foxnews)
I am generally against strikes of any kind, since they are disruptive to the customers instead of to Management - with whom the beef resides. I see it as a mild form of terrorism, where you inflict pain on innocent victims, because you are too weak to fight the source of your aggravation.
But the thing that grabbed my attention was the phrase "Fast Food."
In my recent experience "Fast Food" is an archaic term which refers to a past era. Sort of like "records" and "drive in movie."
I recall the time, perhaps a decade ago, when you would stop into a Mickee Dees or Burger King and the cashier would be asking for your order before you had decided what you wanted. Several registers would be manned and the line moved like a hot knife through ice cream.
But that is not the way is is now. Granted, I do not go to one of these establishments unless I am travelling. (Whatever else you might rightfully say about the food, McDonald's brews a pretty good cup of coffee.)
In virtually all of my recent visits to such places, the "drive-thru" line is usually at least half a dozen cars deep; I go inside. Actually I prefer being inside, rather than eating in the car. Invariably, I have found a line of people ahead of me, with only one beleaguered cashier taking orders. A dozen or so workers are feverishly scudding around the kitchen area. Yet, my order usually takes at least 5 minutes to arrive, sometimes closer to ten. Usually there is enough time to strike-up a conversation with other waiting patrons and come to a consensus about the acceptable number of tattoos that the employees should be allowed to display.
This is is not what I call Fast.
But, back to the subject at hand: Low wages.
I am in favor of upping the wages for people who work in restaurants. McDonald's has an annual employee turnover rate of 75%. I wouldn't mind paying a bit more for my Big Mac if the price increase allows them to attract a better quality employee.
It is always a bit disturbing to know that your food is being prepared by the least educated, lowest paid and least motivated people on the planet.
