On the Domino's Affair

If you haven't heard yet, a pair of Domino's employees ignited a web firestorm by releasing a YouTube video showing them tampering with food including a worker shoving cheese up his nostril and passing gas on a sandwich. (The video was taken down by YouTube after threats from Domino's but we'll let you know when it's inevitably re-posted somewhere).

Brandworkers condemns the conduct of these employees in the strongest possible terms. Their disgusting behavior is an insult to the millions of hard-working, honest, and caring people who work in the fast food industry every day. The vast majority of fast food workers, despite dealing with frequent disrespect from management, would never even consider jeopardizing the well-being of innocent customers with an inane stunt of this kind.

However, Brandworkers also takes issue with response of Domino's and its President Patrick Doyle to the incident. In stilted PR-speak, Doyle's video response declines to take any responsibility for its negative work environment. Domino's has a track record of not rewarding the contributions of its employees or recognizing their voice about issues at work. In addition to perennial low wages, insufficient mileage reimbursement for drivers and many other issues, Domino's has demonstrated a consistent animosity toward the right to choose labor union membership free of coercion. You can view Domino's video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7l6AJ49xNSQ

Researchers have found that restaurants with a record of labor violations tend to have health code violations as well. It makes sense that a company which cuts corners on its work environment would do the same on ensuring food safety. It's hard to imagine union workers with job security, a voice on the job, and retirement benefits to look forward to engaging in the despicable behavior exhibited at Domino's. If Domino's really cared about serving clean and safe food at all its stores, it wouldn't use a business model which squeezes employees at every turn.

While the grotesque conduct of these employees was completely without justification, the idea that Domino's is blameless is just not true.