News

Jimmy John's employees stage massive protest

September 19, 2010

Jimmy John's employees in Minneapolis have picketed the store in an effort to receive increased wages and better labor practices.

According to The Minneapolis Daily, the employees from nine area-owned locations, owned by Rob and Mike Mulligan of Miklin Enterprises, formed a labor union to demand a pay increase, consistent scheduling of sick days and workers compensation, and the elimination of sexual harassment, among other items.

The Jimmy John's Workers Union also made plans to host a National Week of Action to picket and handout information in 32 of the 39 states Jimmy John's operates.

According to the story:

If the group files for election with the National Labor Relations Board and wins, the government will then force Jimmy John's to recognize and negotiate with the union, according to David Boehnke, an employee of Jimmy John's.

The Jimmy John's Workers Union is the first fast food union in the history of the nation, according to representatives from the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), a labor union affiliated with the group.

In another story posted today at InfoShop.com, employees were asking customers to add tip jars to each Jimmy John's location, and then add to them accordingly. Today is Jimmy John's Dollar Sandwich Day.

From the story:

Workers will receive the same wages on Dollar Sandwich Day, though business (and effort needed to pump out sandwiches) will be fourfold. Tips can help compensate for this extra hard work to promote the company, since the amount of tips is related to the number of customers on a given day.

Despite making hundreds of sandwiches each day, workers are not entitled to a free sandwich unless they work a 7 hour shift, a rarity for a company with standard shifts of 2-4 hours. Today, Jimmy John's workers will be asked to pay $2.50 for a $1 sandwich, and will not have tips to cover the difference.