So Payless wants to relaunch? Then time to bring in the experts.
September 9, 2020
Payless is making headlines again. This time, the news is about their relaunch — and while this is seemingly good news for the company, we aren’t celebrating just yet.
Not too long ago we were reading the same headlines about Toys ‘R’ Us and its relaunch. However, at Toys ‘R’ Us, working people organized with United for Respect and company officials came together to create an unprecedented Mirror Board composed of former employees who meet regularly with top executives. As part of Toys ‘R’ Us’ relaunch, the company also committed to creating quality jobs and, critically, to prioritize hiring former Toys ‘R’ Us employees first.
Now, we’re calling on Payless to do the same.
We still remember like it was yesterday the nightmare we went through when our company and jobs went down the drain. The horrible truth unfolded before our eyes when we heard the news on social media and in local news outlets — you’d think company executives would have given all the store managers a courtesy call letting us know the news before the world found out, but no. We were then faced with the daunting task of telling our own team members that we would all be out of a job and receiving little to no severance pay — some co-workers are still owed thousands of what they were originally promised. The downward spiral landed us at rock bottom quickly — loss of income, loss of health insurance, and the fact that many of us had been with Payless for 20 plus years and did not know what the new job climate had in store for us. It was an experience no family should have to go through.
Unfortunately, this is a nightmare many families have experienced. Over the last decade, more than 1.3 million jobs have been destroyed by Wall Street private equity firms that lead companies into bankruptcy, changing severance policies at the last minute so they can pocket millions while employees are left penniless — 1 in 4 of all retail workers already live below or near the poverty threshold, with the number jumping to 2 in 5 for Black (43%) and Latinx (42%) workers.
The news of Payless’ relaunch opens old wounds because, like at Toys ‘R’ Us, employees were told there was no hope for the company. The beloved brand had come to an end. How, then, is a relaunch possible? Why were we fired? If there’s money to relaunch Payless, why didn’t we get the severance we were owed? And why is there no plan in place for former employees to be rehired?
In order to ensure success, Payless should follow the lead of the new Toys ‘R’ Us and bring working people to the decision-making table. Together, we can ensure the relaunch includes a plan to hire former Payless employees, a livable wage that allows families to make ends meet, and a robust severance policy.
Last time, Payless was driven into bankruptcy by Alden Global Capital, destroying our company, our jobs, and our local economies. Now, Payless has an opportunity to side with the working families who will help the company prosper. It’s time Payless brings in the real experts who have firsthand knowledge of how to run stores efficiently and who care about the company’s long term success.
Who will you side with this time, Payless?
Becky Cady, Beth Hinks, Rona Pama, Linda Parker, Jorge Saenz, former Payless managers, and Sarah N. Woodhams, former Toys ‘R’ Us associate, are member leaders with United for Respect. They helped win a $20 million hardship fund for former Toys ‘R’ Us employees in 2019.
United for Respect is a multiracial national non-profit advancing a vision of an economy where working people are respected and their humanity recognized.
