The Pandemic and the Labor Movement

If there is a blessing associated with the pandemic, it’s the empowerment of the labor movement.

When we look around, we can see the precise dynamic at work, i.e., those with low paying jobs, employed/managed by people devoid of compassion, are simply saying, “Either pay me more, or do the work yourself.”

A great example can be found in the little burg of Santa Ynez, in rural Santa Barbara County.  Several of the businesses here are running short-handed, and some have closed completely. Not so for Dos Carlitos, a fabulous tequila bar and restaurant (pictured below).

Why?  These people are payed well, and treated with great respect.  The place is closed on all days that its staff would like to be with family and friends.  I would venture to say that every bar within 50 miles of here is open on Super Bowl Sunday-except one. The owner understands that his employees would much rather be drinking beer, betting on the game, and watching creative commercials than cooking and serving fajitas.

He’s a man of compassion, and the few bucks he loses means less to him than being a decent human being.  And his people are so attentive to the guests that they practically fly across  the floor to provide the best service possible.

He’s found, as I did when my marketing services business employed more than 100, that treating your people well pays for itself many times over.