Culver’s, the Wisconsin-based fast food chain that is opening new stores throughout the country, is like most other chains when it comes to wages and benefits.  But, the owner of the top performing Culver’s restaurant in Wisconsin is doing business differently, paying higher wages, providing benefits and even offering a 401K plan.

Check out what Susan Bulgrin is doing at her restaurants in Madison, WI–and why she’s doing it.

Zazie’s in SF; Culver’s in Madison.  Both of these stories feature restaurants that are owned by women.  Is anyone aware of studies on whether women are more likely to offer better compensation packages to their employees than men?  Do you think gender makes a difference when setting labor policies?

Genesis 29:21-30

After reading today’s Scripture, how would you rate Laban as an employer? How do you think Jacob felt about working for Laban after being manipulated into an additional seven-year contract? How has the power in the relationship shifted? The first seven years felt like a few days. How do you think the second seven years felt?

What do you think makes for a workplace that makes time fly?

Do you prefer comic books to statistical journals and legal briefs?  Who wouldn’t?  Interfaith Worker Justice produced a comic book that explains Wage Theft and worker’s rights.  It is available online in both English and Spanish.  ‘WAGE THEFT: CRIME & JUSTICE.”  

Throughout this week, we will read the story of Jacob’s employment to Laban, his uncle. While you read the Scriptures, think about them through the lens of labor relations, power, fair wages and worker justice.

Genesis 29:1-20

Background: Jacob’s father, Isaac, didn’t approve of the local girls for his son, so he sent Jacob to Haran, where his Uncle Laban lived, with instructions to marry one of Laban’s daughters. Today’s Scripture picks up the story when Jacob arrived in Haran. Whose idea is it to give Jacob a paying job? Think of Laban as management and Jacob as labor. How is the contract negotiation a win/win situation? Does this seem like a fair contract? Would you say Laban is a decent employer? Why or why not?

Take a moment to view the story from Rachel’s perspective.  She’s been working as a shepherd for her father, who is willing to “sell” her to Jacob.  The labor market of the day doesn’t give women any earning power or rights over their futures.  They are virtually slaves/property.  While the rules of the marketplace have changed (thank God!), women still earn only $.77 for every $1.00 a man earns.  Where else do you see (or experience) inequality in the labor market?

Here’s a restaurant owner who is treating workers like she would like to be treated and she’s successful too!  Zazie in San Francisco was featured on an NBC news segment, “Good Work”.

Luke 6:31

This passage, known as the “Golden Rule” has often been used to encourage fair treatment of others. How do you think the workplace would be different if employers lived by this principle? How would you act differently toward those whose work is to serve you—like restaurant wait staff, car wash employees and other tipped employees—or that you hire—like nannies, home cleaning crews, those who mow your lawn and shovel your walks?

There is no devotional for Sunday, March 1, 2015

On Wednesday, Adjunct Professors along with supportive students and sympathetic educators participated in the National Adjunct Walkout.  Why?  Adjuncts now make up over 75% of the faculty at all levels of post high school education.  A US House of Representatives report, issued in January 2015, noted that most adjuncts live below the poverty line!  Read more in this Atlantic article.

Romans 13:8-10

We often think of love as an individual expression of looking out for the interests for another person. Have you ever considered public policy as an expression of love for neighbor? Why or why not? Think of a current labor policy that expresses love for our neighbors? Are there any labor policies that “do harm to your neighbor”? If so, what?

“Justice is what love looks like in public.” -Cornel West.

Do you agree or disagree? Why?

Now that Walmart has decided raise hourly wages above minimum wage, other retail outlets are already feeling the pressure to do the same.  On Wednesday, the parent company of TJ Maxx announced that it will also increase wages to $9 per hour for its employees.

http://uk.reuters.com/video/2015/02/20/wal-marts-move-pressures-target?videoId=363257799&videoChannel=78

However, Target just announced that they will NOT follow Walmart in increasing hourly wages across the board.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/25/target-wages_n_6752886.html

Let’s keep up the pressure!  Pray for the low wage workers who are crying out for living wages.  Keep the Fast in solidarity with them.

Malachi 3:1-5

What are the sins that God is coming to judge? Are you surprised to see “oppressing hired workers in their wages” on this list? Why or why not? Do you consider paying low wages a sin worthy of God’s harsh judgment? A single mother of two working full time for the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour makes $15,080 a year. By US government standards, she is in poverty. What would you say to a person of faith who is opposed to raising the minimum wage despite the hardships low-wage workers face?