25 signatures reached
To: Spec's Wine, Spirits & Finer Foods
Demand Spec's Give Employees PTO or Switch to Curbside Pick-up Only
Temporarily close all Spec's locations and give employees PTO or, at minimum, switch to curb-side pick up orders only, which you can already do at some locations and should be able to do for ALL of them. https://specsonline.com/curbside/
Why is this important?
Spec's corporate num: (888) 526-8787
E-mail: [email protected]
Closing Spec's or at the minimum switching to curb-side pick up during this pandemic of the coronavirus is crucial. This is a respiratory virus, and the only way to stop the spread of the virus is to stay away from others. The CDC has advised all non-essential businesses to close to contain and slow the spread of the virus. Spec's is NOT an essential business and demanding employees stay at work during this time is negligent and detrimental to workers, customers, managers, and the public. Some Spec's branches have even disregarded directives from the management of the shopping centers they are located in to decrease hours, keeping regular store hours (Mon. - Sat. 10am - 9pm) and not limiting customer interactions whatsoever. Managers refuse to close during a time of increased profit, when customers who have the benefit of working from home are stocking up on non-essential items like fine wines and cheeses at the expense of Spec's employees and the general public.
Although washing your hands frequently, limiting customers (which Spec's is not doing), and disinfecting the store is helpful, that will NOT prevent the spread of coronavirus. At this point, there is no way to know who has the coronavirus, due to the limited number of tests. Suspending all business hours, until further notice, while continuing to pay both hourly, and salary workers is absolutely necessary. At minimum, allow employees who consent to stay on to work pick-up orders only, limiting interaction to putting together phone orders and ID/age checks when customers pick up.
Employees and customers may display no symptoms while still being able to transmit the virus to others. Employees have to go home to their families who may be immunocompromised, have asthma, diabetes, or other conditions that make them more severely impacted by illness. By going to work, they are increasing the risk of themselves, their family, and customers of catching the virus.
Instead of waiting until an employee shows symptoms of the virus, closing all stores would prevent its' further spread. In the meantime, other measures should be taken to disinfect employee work spaces and limit customer interaction to a minimum.
