Reading the March 27 story, "Time-off policy takes shape," one could get a true sense of what is now clearly the later stages of capitalism. You have representatives of Grandma's restaurants, a corporation which has profited greatly for decades from the people of this region, going up against small-business owners who have yet to experience Grandma's' level of economic success.
The current argument is about whether a policy of earned sick and safe time should be mandated so that all businesses with five or more employees can operate on a level playing field while providing a much-needed benefit to many.
What should be evident is that those businesses that care most about the people who help them grow feel a moral obligation to provide those benefits to their employees while those who appear to put profits first continue to count pennies. Please remember, these were the same folks arguing against a higher minimum wage a short time ago.
The takeaway from Grandma's' argument (supported by the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce) is that the corporation has only a moral obligation to itself.
I wonder if the Grandma's restaurant of 1976 would have supported this ordinance as strongly as do Snooty Fox Tea Shop or Northern Waters Smokehaus? I would like to think so.
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I wish Grandma's much success in its business endeavors. But for now, my family and I will have to make our own "moral obligation" to support businesses that support their workers.
Brent Consie
Duluth
