Get This - Florida Comps. (Outback Steak) spending $1M vs raising Min Wage

[cthrumatrix]

Wage law opponents spend $1-million
A coalition led by Outback Steakhouse puts together $1.25-million to dissuade voters from adopting the minimum wage hike on the ballot Nov. 2.
JONI JAMES
Published October 19, 2004

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TALLAHASSEE - Two months ago no one thought it possible to beat an initiative to raise Florida's minimum wage by $1.

But that hasn't stopped a coalition of restaurants and supermarkets, led by Tampa's Outback Steakhouse, from trying.

The Coalition to Save Florida Jobs raised $1.25-million through Oct. 8 with all but about $250,000 coming from restaurants or supermarkets, campaign finance reports released Monday by the state Division of Elections show.

The reports also show the group spent $1-million, including $782,207 on TV ads statewide. The ads shown in the Tampa Bay area last weekend dubbed a minimum wage increase as the "fifth disaster" that would hit Florida after a quadruple punch of hurricanes in August and September.


snip

anybody up for a BOYCOTT of Outback Steakhouse - who prefers "slave labor".

[XanaDUer]

1. Another reason to not eat at Outback

besides their shitty food.

[Carni]

11. Their food DOES suck

The last time I ate there they served us Prime Rib from the night before that was well done (we had ordered rare and medium rare)

When we complained the manager came to the table and told us that "obviously, they couldn't control the consistency of a natural product" We just started laughing and said you've got to be kidding this is from last night. She didn't even offer to take anything off of the bill/ so we left the food on the table/ paid the bill and left.

Later I found the CEO's email address and complained.

We ended up with another comped meal that wasn't really that much better than the first one.

Why am I not surprised that their politics are as bad as their food!

[KurtNYC]

2. Tell them where to put their Bloomin Onion!

G'day

[cthrumatrix]

3. title should read - "Corporations Against Employees".....

[Ilsa]

4. Shit, why don't the bastards just pay the $1.25 million

to the minimum wage earning employees, instead of spending it on ads. A$$holes.

[wishlist]

5. With their outrageous high prices they ought to be able to raise wages

Thanks for posting. It is disgraceful when upscale companies that cater to well off customers and charge high prices don't want to share their profits with employees.

[RivetJoint]

7. Outback upscale???

Not IMHO.

[Jacobin]

8. Depends on what you are used to spending on food, I suppose

More upscale than fast food.

Not exactly a five star restaraunt though

[mark11727]

14. I've discovered BOULDER CREEK steak houses (Long Island)...

...not as loud and obnoxious as OUTBACK, and the steaks are pretty decent, too.

[Carni]

12. The MickeyD's of steak

They suck in general

[OutsourceBush]

6. Typical republican greed, they would spend 10 dollars to avoid paying 1

Jerks

[sherilocks]

9. I've gotten one of their mailers

Really disgusting. It never mentions what the amendment actually says, just says things about bad for Florida and Florida businesses and workers, blah, blah, blah. I had to look the amendment up to figure out what they were talking about.

I did notice people were taking their time, reading through the amendments, when I voted yesterday. Another reason to encourage people to vote early.

No more meals in Outback. Bye bye Outback.

[Wickerman]

10. Wow - and that is only ads - what do they spend on lobbyist? n/t

[lpbk2713]

13. Another thing I've noticed about Outback hiring practices........

There was a group photo in the local newspaper (related to recent hurricane damage to a local Florida Outback) that showed maybe 12 to 15 Outback employees. As I looked at the photo it struck me that not one of the faces appeared to be more than 25 years old. That makes me think that Outback's hiring practices illegally discriminate against older workers. If you go to an Outback, look around the next time you're there for an older employee. I could be mistaken but I don't think I'll be going to Outback again for this reason.

[gottalickbush]

15. Don't go to outback

I prefer my steaks to the ones that they cook. As a matter of fact, my gf and I go out, but not to eat. I just don't trust anyone with my food.

[fknobbit]

16. Not so fast there are some upsides!

:thumbsup:

http://www.snopes.com/rumors/outback.htm

:shrug: