Sevice Industry Woe$

Now I completely understand the arguments people make against large companies that do not pay their employees what they are worth.  If I am being honest it seems as if this prevailing trend that has not nor will it go away and will continue to sour the workforce.  Many articles and exposes have been brought to light regarding hourly wages with little to no increase in holiday pay.  If anyone has ever worked in a restaurant or any other type of service industry (regardless of size of establishment) they are well aware of low wages with horrible hours and little to no respect for the work being done.  Sound Familiar?  It should since this is the exact argument that is shredding headlines in regards to retail employees.  As far as I am concerned I agree with ALL of the outcries surrounding low wages and nil respect.  For almost twenty years I have trudged my way through the thick of it to make head room as a culinary professional.  Not one single tasting or consultation goes by without someone wanting something cheaper, discounted someway or all out free.  How is this Ok?  Does one walk into an eatery and haggle with the servers over the price they will pay for food or drinks?  This is not the auto industry where the price is already outrageous in hopes to snag a sucker or if all else fails its a good starting point in the clouds so when they 'take the price down' its actually in the realm of sanity and not gouging your pockets.  If you want sub standard service with terrible food I invite you to haggle and find the cheapest culinary professional to fulfill your order.  When did food service ninjas, musicians and artists become the scourge of the workforce?  I love what I do but find it humorous the way people cry about wages of seemingly specialized jobs.  If it looks, sounds and acts like a snake you have no recourse when it bites you in the face.  Homework for the week is go to craigslist really fast and search the FOOD/Hospitality job listings.  You will find more often than not requirements like 'Must be available days, nights, weekends and holidays'.  #WTF?  Shall I just sign on the dotted line to become your indentured servant?  How many professions require day, night, weekend and holiday availability with an hourly wage that will make you laugh?  There are exceptions such as titled positions and management but for the most part we are speaking about the hourly people that just want to go to work, make some money and go home.  For the most part these people are willing and able.  Most just want to find a stable job with acceptable levels of stress and outputs.  I challenge anyone to work a single shift on a busy Kitchen Line and think about the amount of sweat and time you have to drop to make a buck.  #BigTomFoods #ThomasMattson #DallasPorkMafia