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03.19.2020

Mark and Ashley released this memo to Michaels employees, please see attached image.

Michaels argues that their reason for being open are the following:

'The small business owners that rely on us for their online and storefront business needs.'

• The priority shouldn't be small business, it should be the health and safety of your employees.
• If the business mandate is to accommodate small businesses, the pricing of goods sold at the store should reflect that.
• As other retailers are closing doors your reason to remain open is to profit from the lack of competition from other businesses and generate new ones from the lack of competition
• Based on these prices, small business owners could not maintain high profit margin if they shopped at Michaels exclusively.

'The teachers and parents rely on our products to teach classes virtually, the their homes and other locales.'

• Most classes are online and schools are closed. In a time of crisis, most instructors and teacher should not hold students accountable if they cannot get hold of nonessential supplies. WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER. Understanding and empathy is what should be practiced and not use clever marketing strategies and reasoning about why you are open?
• At least seven provincial governments have already shut down schools in order to flatten the curve. Canadian Universities have been preparing and shifted their students to e-learning, with some even asking students to vacate their dorms. (Click on link for reference). 

'The communities looking at take their minds off a stressful reality, even if temporarily'

We agree as we are artists, crafters, and makers too, but what about:

• WHAT ABOUT THE STRESS TO YOUR EMPLOYEES ABOUT HAVING TO STAND 2' AWAY FROM A CUSTOMER AT CASH COUGHING IN YOUR FACE, WHILE YOU SIT AT HOME AND DICTATE ORDERS?
• WHAT ABOUT THE STRESS OF NOT SHOWING UP FOR THE HEALTH OF THEIR FAMILIES AND NOT BEING ABLE TO CLAIM BENEFITS BECAUSE YOU ARE STILL OPERATIONAL?
• The customers currently still in your stores primarily serving those that have the luxury of a disposable income and are looking a purchase items to fill a void in their spare time. This, while you pay most of front line employees minimum wage, no benefits, and or job security, you refer to them as you flexible workers. Many employees live pay check to pay check and can barely afford to have enough basic supplies for 2 weeks if quarantined for themselves or families. 

Those same customers are less likely to take this pandemic to the same level of urgency against government warnings which is why there are in your stores in the first place. We cannot assume everyone understands the gravitas of this situation, and therefore prepare for it. Your customers can have COVID-19 and not show symptoms, be unaware of it therefore risk spreading the virus unknowingly.

It is your responsibility as a member of the community to help health care workers and medical services reduce and mitigate the spread of this disease, not open your doors to the public and expose your front line workers. It is also your responsibility to be transparent about you intentions and actions plans to ALL your employees and not just managers.

'Our stores are designed as, which means we provide key shipping services to the public and are considered a reliable alternative to other shipping companies and locations'

Regarding UPS access points dedicated to Michaels, there are other essential business with UPS access points that continue to provide the same function as they are not exclusive Michaels Stores. UPS continues to deliver door to door effectively decreasing the risk of exposure.

Mitigate all employee concerns to Managers
Presenting the option to employees to seek permission from managers about leave, puts Managers in difficult ethical positions. As a result other employees that replace them are at continual risk. Managers are changing schedules without approval of employees and expecting them to come to work without ample warning. The lack of approved and effective cleaning supplies and personal protection equipment is still a concern among many employees. Managers should not shoulder the responsibility of running a store and finding willing employees to keep Michaels operational.

This is a public health crisis, it is your social responsibility to do the right thing. Closing your statement with 'Take care of yourself and each other' but not addressing how you plan on taking care of your employees is heartless. Waiting for the government to force your stores closed is socially irresponsible.

As of 3.20.20

Introducing curb side pick up further shows you continue ignoring your employees, customer, and community calling on your store to close. You have created more buying options for your customer and have yet to address your employees as a whole. 

Providing them with hand sanitizers when ‘Stay at home’ orders are being given in one State seems insensitive given the circumstances. Other companies and manufacturing facilities are switching their production lines and continue to meet shortages of hand sanitizer and other equipment to help meet shortages and assist front line workers (See link). In turn you redirect crucial supplies to you stores which is selling non essential products. How are you supporting this cause?

In a conference call you have stated you have $400 Million of excess cash and your plans in this fiscal year is to expand stores (click to see source, yahoo! finance). Not anywhere you clearly state plans to address your employees on compensation. The only information provide is a phone number and e-mail reach HR and Team Member Services when DIAGNOSED. 

You continue to make decisions playing with the health and safely of your front line workers from the comfort of your own homes. Your jobs, wages, and benefits are secure while you dictate your minimum wage employees with no job security, benefits, and equipment to do the grunt work to keep your profits flowing.

Our petition is in concern for the health and safety of all Michaels employees, their families and the community. We ask you to proactively make decisions that protects the wellbeing of employees and not wait governments to mandate them. Your responsibility includes the wellness of all your employees not just a select few and those stakeholders that you deem fit. You have stated you have explored all alternatives and options, yet you wait on mandates from governments to make sensible decisions. 

We as a community have to fight this pandemic together. Be ahead of the curve to flatten the curve. We have to support our health care workers, and those who will most at risk. Lives are are stake. We are willing to do the right thing, but are you?

#shameonmichaels #michaelsdoesnotcare