Boycott Restaurant Until Livable Wages, Benefits Provided: Letter

On this Labor Day, we were deeply troubled to read the article in The Chicago Tribune, “Meet the table busser who’s worked at the same Wilmette pancake House for 54 years, and still makes minimum wage.” We love Walker Bros, but we won’t be eating there after reading this article.

While the employee featured in the article Mr. Loggan, expressed a desire to remain in the same position as busser for 54 years, we find it inexcusable that the owners of Walker Bros failed to reward his dedication and hard work with pay above minimum wage, or to provide him any benefits. How is the worth of a man who has reliably shown up for work on time for 54 years equivalent to minimum wage? We refuse to accept the faulty logic that “this was Mr. Loggan’s choice.” It is our choice not to patronize this business until they correct these exploitative practices.

According to stats from the Restaurant Opportunity Center (ROC) segregation report 2015:
The restaurant industry employs nearly 11 million workers and is one of the fastest growing sectors of the US economy. Despite the industry’s growth, restaurant workers occupy seven of the ten lowest-paid occupations reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the economic position of workers of color in the restaurant industry is particularly precarious. Restaurant workers experience poverty at nearly three times the rate of workers overall, and workers of color experience poverty at nearly twice the rate of white restaurant workers. Even though this is not a unique situation, it does not make it right. We call on Walker Bros to recognize that they can and must do better for their workers. It is well-known that minimum wage is not a livable wage, regardless of tips. Anyone who has spent decades contributing to the success of a business deserves a fair wage and benefits including a retirement plan.

Ray Walker said of Mr. Loggan in the article, “he was the complete opposite of a Black Panther kind of guy,” never an advocate or rabble rouser. He said that limited schooling “probably helped smooth out his world — I would doubt Loggan really ever dreamed about buying a Cadillac.” How patronizing and demeaning!

While Mr. Loggan and other low-paid workers were not coerced or forced to stay in these jobs, good employers don’t exploit the loyalty of their employees, nor do they pay them an unlivable wage after half a century of work.

Our families will not return to Walker Bros restaurant until the Walker family provides livable wages and benefits worthy of their workers.

Sincerely,

Cicely Fleming
Sergio Hernandez
Alejandra Ibanez
Wendy Katten