Entire Bull Moose store staff is fired.

brianlux

Maybe not the best move on their part.  I can't say for sure at this point, but I may be re-thinking ordering here again.

https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/bull-moose-store-fires-all-workers-after-dispute-over-mask-policy-according-to-former-employees/97-3b5f826c-3eb1-442e-b165-ccda2aad6251

https://luke.substack.com/p/we-finally-started-bringing-our-concerns

Hobbes

Something is rotten in the state of New Hampshire. 

Bull Moose management attempt to mask a larger issue. Record store workers of the world unite.

And what's the deal with the fucked up customers? 

For those that have concerns: You can also e-mail us at bullmoosemusic@gmail.com or leave a message at 1-877-464-5513.

Meltdown99

I’d say that they were fired for talking to organized labour…

brianlux

Meltdown99 said:

I’d say that they were fired for talking to organized labour…

Evidently, that is part of the situation.  But when did talking to someone become a crime?  And the ENTIRE staff was fired.  It's just wrong.  Bull Moose will get no more of my business. 

tbergs

So many questions after reading this. Have people not had the opportunity to get vaccinated? I mean, masks are great, but vaccine better. It seems weird on the managment side to fire employees, but also weird that employees want to continue to require masks if they are vaccinated. Obviously it would still be optional, but I understand not wanting to keep it mandatory if vaccination availability has reached the masses.

Smellyman

tbergs said:

So many questions after reading this. Have people not had the opportunity to get vaccinated? I mean, masks are great, but vaccine better. It seems weird on the managment side to fire employees, but also weird that employees want to continue to require masks if they are vaccinated. Obviously it would still be optional, but I understand not wanting to keep it mandatory if vaccination availability has reached the masses.

I am sure they wanted the throngs of Covid Mouth Breathers to be required to wear a mask in the stores.

Some people care about the good of others too

dankind

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I've worked in/managed independent book/record shops such as Bull Moose, and I've worked in corporate book/record shops such as Tower Records. The latter always managed to look after their employees better. There are protocols in place. Independent shops, you're basically left with navigating your way around the business owners' moods along with your actual job.

Hopefully, the pandemic exposed (and continues to expose) just how shitty employees for small business owners have it and just how selfish and deplorable their bosses are.

OnWis97

tbergs said:

So many questions after reading this. Have people not had the opportunity to get vaccinated? I mean, masks are great, but vaccine better. It seems weird on the managment side to fire employees, but also weird that employees want to continue to require masks if they are vaccinated. Obviously it would still be optional, but I understand not wanting to keep it mandatory if vaccination availability has reached the masses.

Actually, I don’t think everyone has had the opportunity for dose 2 to take full effect and I think  the CDC got several weeks ahead of itself. 

But eventually, we’ll be at that point.  Most people want to ditch the masks as soon as possible. But given how folks are still getting vaccinated and how so many refuse to, I can certainly sympathize with the staff.  

One of the best things about government mandates was that stores, etc. didn’t have to make these choices.  They could just blame the state. And some states decided it was time to be “normal” right when the CDC made its announcement.  Now a shop like this is between its staff and the masses.  As  I said, this was going to happen eventually but it’s too early in my opinion.

For my part, I am vaxed and will wear a mask because it can’t hurt and could help. And I will prefer to patronize stores that continue to require masks and who I believe are looking out for their employees. And I sure as hell am not going to patronize places this quick to fire staff over this (or over talk of organization).

mickeyrat

one of my spots posted this

F Me In The Brain

Retailers are in a tough spot.  They had policies throughout much of the pandemic requiring masks and found it almost possible to enforce.  Asking the poor bastards working there to try and take on some douchestick anti-masker for minimum wage is crazy.  Posting guards/security is also crazy...and we saw shootings happen because...well, this is America and FreeDumb and all of that.

I can see the people who run the stores eager as hell to get rid of the mask policies if for no reason other than to try and reduce the levels of conflict in their locations.

That all being stated, I think protecting the workers should be a priority and masks should still be required.  (You can still transmit this thing even if fully vaxxed...we know many anti-vaxxers will go w/o masks anyway, as they did before....and many employees could live with people who do not have the vaccine yet, like small kids or people with health issues.)

Tough spot for the companies to be in, though.  I can understand them wanting to just do away with the masks as soon as the local govts made that an option for them.

As far as firing all of your workers?  Yeah, that is sending a pretty tough message given who the main target of indie record stores are likely to be.  If they sold guns and ammo for killing other Amercians this would be a no-doubt move and win them more clients.

Weston1283

F Me In The Brain said:

Retailers are in a tough spot.  They had policies throughout much of the pandemic requiring masks and found it almost possible to enforce.  Asking the poor bastards working there to try and take on some douchestick anti-masker for minimum wage is crazy.  Posting guards/security is also crazy...and we saw shootings happen because...well, this is America and FreeDumb and all of that.

I can see the people who run the stores eager as hell to get rid of the mask policies if for no reason other than to try and reduce the levels of conflict in their locations.

That all being stated, I think protecting the workers should be a priority and masks should still be required.  (You can still transmit this thing even if fully vaxxed...we know many anti-vaxxers will go w/o masks anyway, as they did before....and many employees could live with people who do not have the vaccine yet, like small kids or people with health issues.)

Tough spot for the companies to be in, though.  I can understand them wanting to just do away with the masks as soon as the local govts made that an option for them.

As far as firing all of your workers?  Yeah, that is sending a pretty tough message given who the main target of indie record stores are likely to be.  If they sold guns and ammo for killing other Amercians this would be a no-doubt move and win them more clients.

I agree, I was thinking about how businesses will be in a tough spot.  The government tells you masks are optional, and your customers will be split in thinking they should have to still wear one or not still wear one.  

I think if I'm a business owner, I just continue to follow the local and state restrictions and just use that as the crutch/source of reasoning if anyone tries to question the decision

Poncier

tbergs said:

So many questions after reading this. Have people not had the opportunity to get vaccinated? I mean, masks are great, but vaccine better. It seems weird on the managment side to fire employees, but also weird that employees want to continue to require masks if they are vaccinated. Obviously it would still be optional, but I understand not wanting to keep it mandatory if vaccination availability has reached the masses.

New Hampshire has ben one of the leading states getting their folks vaccinated. They opened up eligibility to everyone 16 and up back on April 2. So there has been plenty of opportunity, 7 weeks worth, so not a particularly  valid excuse in this case. Any of the employees who hadn't yet received the vaccine have only themselves to look at for that.
I don't think this story really has to do with masks and Covid, it is definitely about nipping a possible organizing of employees in the bud.

Matts3221

So living in NH we are in the top of the list over 70% have gotten their first shot and 46.1% are fully vaccinated. Getting it done is very simply here and as mentioned above everyone got opened to it as of April 2nd , my sister was able to go on April 2nd and get a same day appointment.

It is tricky as I just got back from vacation and we have an honor system on wear a mask if you are fully vaccinated and please put one on if not. I am fully done but still put a mask on when someone comes into my office ( other than two employees whom are also fully vaccinated ) although a credit union is way different than a retail music story.

Since today everyone whom has come in has worn a mask as they just want too still. So I get being nervous with the public but again I am fully vaccinated.

I feel like this has to be more than a mask issues and sadly I will not go to Bull Moose anymore and that sucks because that place rules. Well used to before they laid off the entire store.

If a business says wear a mask I wear one and to be honest if it says I don't have to wear one I still do.

There has to be more to this.

tempo_n_groove

A few things on this.  A class action "wrongful termination" suit could be brought up possibly.

If they (employees) were sending angry emails to their higherups that could be viewed as insubordination though and then the lawsuit is moot.

Lastly, the choice of the store to lift a mask ban shouldn't mean that an employee has to not wear one.  The mask is supposed to prevent your own germs from spreading though.

brianlux

dankind said:

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I've worked in/managed independent book/record shops such as Bull Moose, and I've worked in corporate book/record shops such as Tower Records. The latter always managed to look after their employees better. There are protocols in place. Independent shops, you're basically left with navigating your way around the business owners' moods along with your actual job.

Hopefully, the pandemic exposed (and continues to expose) just how shitty employees for small business owners have it and just how selfish and deplorable their bosses are.

That's very unfortunate.  It's too bad more small business owners aren't like my wife and her business partner.  They often put their employees before themselves.  In tough times, they both took pay cuts so their employees could continue to work.  They've cooked and taken food to employees when they've been sick and have been very flexible and generous when they've been in need.  In 38 years they've never had one disgruntled employee.

dankind

brianlux said:

dankind said:

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I've worked in/managed independent book/record shops such as Bull Moose, and I've worked in corporate book/record shops such as Tower Records. The latter always managed to look after their employees better. There are protocols in place. Independent shops, you're basically left with navigating your way around the business owners' moods along with your actual job.

Hopefully, the pandemic exposed (and continues to expose) just how shitty employees for small business owners have it and just how selfish and deplorable their bosses are.

That's very unfortunate.  It's too bad more small business owners aren't like my wife and her business partner.  They often put their employees before themselves.  In tough times, they both took pay cuts so their employees could continue to work.  They've cooked and taken food to employees when they've been sick and have been very flexible and generous when they've been in need.  In 38 years they've never had one disgruntled employee.

There was one owner who was an absolute gem. But I was his only employee.

Every other small business I've worked at basically begat a workplace support group for dealing with the owners.

And one store had a huge issue with the cash register folks stealing money from the owners, and it took forever for someone to report it because as absolutely morally wrong as it was, employees were not so sure to jump to that conclusion based on how they were treated by said ripped-off owners. 

brianlux

dankind said:

brianlux said:

dankind said:

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I've worked in/managed independent book/record shops such as Bull Moose, and I've worked in corporate book/record shops such as Tower Records. The latter always managed to look after their employees better. There are protocols in place. Independent shops, you're basically left with navigating your way around the business owners' moods along with your actual job.

Hopefully, the pandemic exposed (and continues to expose) just how shitty employees for small business owners have it and just how selfish and deplorable their bosses are.

That's very unfortunate.  It's too bad more small business owners aren't like my wife and her business partner.  They often put their employees before themselves.  In tough times, they both took pay cuts so their employees could continue to work.  They've cooked and taken food to employees when they've been sick and have been very flexible and generous when they've been in need.  In 38 years they've never had one disgruntled employee.

There was one owner who was an absolute gem. But I was his only employee.

Every other small business I've worked at basically begat a workplace support group for dealing with the owners.

And one store had a huge issue with the cash register folks stealing money from the owners, and it took forever for someone to report it because as absolutely morally wrong as it was, employees were not so sure to jump to that conclusion based on how they were treated by said ripped-off owners. 

Business owners who do not treat their employees well are despicable creatures.  I've only ever worked for one that was really bad- way back in my high school years.  I didn't stay long there.

tbergs

dankind said:

brianlux said:

dankind said:

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I've worked in/managed independent book/record shops such as Bull Moose, and I've worked in corporate book/record shops such as Tower Records. The latter always managed to look after their employees better. There are protocols in place. Independent shops, you're basically left with navigating your way around the business owners' moods along with your actual job.

Hopefully, the pandemic exposed (and continues to expose) just how shitty employees for small business owners have it and just how selfish and deplorable their bosses are.

That's very unfortunate.  It's too bad more small business owners aren't like my wife and her business partner.  They often put their employees before themselves.  In tough times, they both took pay cuts so their employees could continue to work.  They've cooked and taken food to employees when they've been sick and have been very flexible and generous when they've been in need.  In 38 years they've never had one disgruntled employee.

There was one owner who was an absolute gem. But I was his only employee.

Every other small business I've worked at basically begat a workplace support group for dealing with the owners.

And one store had a huge issue with the cash register folks stealing money from the owners, and it took forever for someone to report it because as absolutely morally wrong as it was, employees were not so sure to jump to that conclusion based on how they were treated by said ripped-off owners. 

I don't know, if you have a bad boss or the job sucks, you leave, not justify your actions by claiming it's owed to you because of poor management. I honestly can't stand people who behave in that way because they feel they've been wronged. I worked for a mom and pop grocery store in high school and the management was pretty pathetic, but they also hired shitty workers so I guess they all deserved each other.

I think there is more to the Bull Moose situation. Not saying that justifies everyone being fired, but I think the headline about it being all over masking policies was a good way to draw attention at a time when that's a hot ticket controversy.

dankind

tbergs said:

dankind said:

brianlux said:

dankind said:

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I've worked in/managed independent book/record shops such as Bull Moose, and I've worked in corporate book/record shops such as Tower Records. The latter always managed to look after their employees better. There are protocols in place. Independent shops, you're basically left with navigating your way around the business owners' moods along with your actual job.

Hopefully, the pandemic exposed (and continues to expose) just how shitty employees for small business owners have it and just how selfish and deplorable their bosses are.

That's very unfortunate.  It's too bad more small business owners aren't like my wife and her business partner.  They often put their employees before themselves.  In tough times, they both took pay cuts so their employees could continue to work.  They've cooked and taken food to employees when they've been sick and have been very flexible and generous when they've been in need.  In 38 years they've never had one disgruntled employee.

There was one owner who was an absolute gem. But I was his only employee.

Every other small business I've worked at basically begat a workplace support group for dealing with the owners.

And one store had a huge issue with the cash register folks stealing money from the owners, and it took forever for someone to report it because as absolutely morally wrong as it was, employees were not so sure to jump to that conclusion based on how they were treated by said ripped-off owners. 

I don't know, if you have a bad boss or the job sucks, you leave, not justify your actions by claiming it's owed to you because of poor management. I honestly can't stand people who behave in that way because they feel they've been wronged. I worked for a mom and pop grocery store in high school and the management was pretty pathetic, but they also hired shitty workers so I guess they all deserved each other.

I think there is more to the Bull Moose situation. Not saying that justifies everyone being fired, but I think the headline about it being all over masking policies was a good way to draw attention at a time when that's a hot ticket controversy.

The only angle I can see other than the one that sells clicks (read: Covid! Covid! Covid!) is that their employees were organizing. And that's always been a terrible thing that could lead to discussions regarding living wages, PTO, healthcare coverage, etc. 

You know, things small business owners generally fail to provide for their employees.

RoleModelsinBlood31

I removed our rules a week ago Friday, 5/14.  Put a sign up that said “masks are appreciated but no longer required.”  All our staff is still masked up as well as vaccinated but we don’t worry about what the public wants or doesn’t want anymore- it became way too much to expect my staff to have to police the situation and often ended up in insane arguments with idiots.  If they don’t want to come in they call us and get curbside, or they order through a delivery service.  If they want to wear a mask, they wear it.  No big deal.

I’ve heard about 5 compliments based on the rule each day since I posted it, folks are genuinely very pleased to be able to come in without it, and those who are wearing one completely understand and are still happy, so it has worked out really well.

cant believe bull moose would fire their staff, pretty screwed up.  I hope it’s not because of masks though but even worse if it is.

mace1229

brianlux said:

Maybe not the best move on their part.  I can't say for sure at this point, but I may be re-thinking ordering here again.

https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/bull-moose-store-fires-all-workers-after-dispute-over-mask-policy-according-to-former-employees/97-3b5f826c-3eb1-442e-b165-ccda2aad6251

https://luke.substack.com/p/we-finally-started-bringing-our-concerns

If this is true, that's a total douche move and I wont be sad if they go out of business. But it doesn't all make sense to me. Like possibly something bigger behind the scene that the employees are not aware of.
Some employees were unhappy with the mask changes and complained about it, some complained in the work email. If you're annoyed at a couple of employees it doesn't make sense to fire all 20 and be closed indefinitely. Handle the ones misusing the email or causing problems.
Mask policy updated and employees were angry. Store closed early Thursday, mass termination email Friday.  Still closed today without signs of reopening. Either that is the worst business decision by any owner, or there was something else going on.

Poncier

mace1229 said:

brianlux said:

Maybe not the best move on their part.  I can't say for sure at this point, but I may be re-thinking ordering here again.

https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/bull-moose-store-fires-all-workers-after-dispute-over-mask-policy-according-to-former-employees/97-3b5f826c-3eb1-442e-b165-ccda2aad6251

https://luke.substack.com/p/we-finally-started-bringing-our-concerns

If this is true, that's a total douche move and I wont be sad if they go out of business. But it doesn't all make sense to me. Like possibly something bigger behind the scene that the employees are not aware of.
Some employees were unhappy with the mask changes and complained about it, some complained in the work email. If you're annoyed at a couple of employees it doesn't make sense to fire all 20 and be closed indefinitely. Handle the ones misusing the email or causing problems.
Mask policy updated and employees were angry. Store closed early Thursday, mass termination email Friday.  Still closed today without signs of reopening. Either that is the worst business decision by any owner, or there was something else going on.

Did you read the second link?
Presents a far more plausible scenario.

mace1229

After reading the first I forgot there was a second. Haven’t read it yet. Thanks.

brianlux

mace1229 said:

brianlux said:

Maybe not the best move on their part.  I can't say for sure at this point, but I may be re-thinking ordering here again.

https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/bull-moose-store-fires-all-workers-after-dispute-over-mask-policy-according-to-former-employees/97-3b5f826c-3eb1-442e-b165-ccda2aad6251

https://luke.substack.com/p/we-finally-started-bringing-our-concerns

If this is true, that's a total douche move and I wont be sad if they go out of business. But it doesn't all make sense to me. Like possibly something bigger behind the scene that the employees are not aware of.
Some employees were unhappy with the mask changes and complained about it, some complained in the work email. If you're annoyed at a couple of employees it doesn't make sense to fire all 20 and be closed indefinitely. Handle the ones misusing the email or causing problems.
Mask policy updated and employees were angry. Store closed early Thursday, mass termination email Friday.  Still closed today without signs of reopening. Either that is the worst business decision by any owner, or there was something else going on.

I would say that even if more details come out, they would have to amount to an attempted coup d'état or something other equally outlandish act and unlikely involving each and every staff member for this not to look like a terrible business decision.  Firing the entire staff has already given the company a black eye and lost a fair amount of business.  It's a bit hard to say at this point, but I'm guessing this was a reactionary and foolish move on the companies part. 

tempo_n_groove

Poncier said:

mace1229 said:

brianlux said:

Maybe not the best move on their part.  I can't say for sure at this point, but I may be re-thinking ordering here again.

https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/bull-moose-store-fires-all-workers-after-dispute-over-mask-policy-according-to-former-employees/97-3b5f826c-3eb1-442e-b165-ccda2aad6251

https://luke.substack.com/p/we-finally-started-bringing-our-concerns

If this is true, that's a total douche move and I wont be sad if they go out of business. But it doesn't all make sense to me. Like possibly something bigger behind the scene that the employees are not aware of.
Some employees were unhappy with the mask changes and complained about it, some complained in the work email. If you're annoyed at a couple of employees it doesn't make sense to fire all 20 and be closed indefinitely. Handle the ones misusing the email or causing problems.
Mask policy updated and employees were angry. Store closed early Thursday, mass termination email Friday.  Still closed today without signs of reopening. Either that is the worst business decision by any owner, or there was something else going on.

Did you read the second link?
Presents a far more plausible scenario.

I didn't realize this either  and just did.

People complaining about $12 who work in a record store talking about a living wage I will never understand.  A cashier at a record store should not be permanent sustaining job.

It sounds like the store was being poorly run anyways.  After this story I don't think Bull Moose recovers for a long while.

dankind

tempo_n_groove said:

Poncier said:

mace1229 said:

brianlux said:

Maybe not the best move on their part.  I can't say for sure at this point, but I may be re-thinking ordering here again.

https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/bull-moose-store-fires-all-workers-after-dispute-over-mask-policy-according-to-former-employees/97-3b5f826c-3eb1-442e-b165-ccda2aad6251

https://luke.substack.com/p/we-finally-started-bringing-our-concerns

If this is true, that's a total douche move and I wont be sad if they go out of business. But it doesn't all make sense to me. Like possibly something bigger behind the scene that the employees are not aware of.
Some employees were unhappy with the mask changes and complained about it, some complained in the work email. If you're annoyed at a couple of employees it doesn't make sense to fire all 20 and be closed indefinitely. Handle the ones misusing the email or causing problems.
Mask policy updated and employees were angry. Store closed early Thursday, mass termination email Friday.  Still closed today without signs of reopening. Either that is the worst business decision by any owner, or there was something else going on.

Did you read the second link?
Presents a far more plausible scenario.

I didn't realize this either  and just did.

People complaining about $12 who work in a record store talking about a living wage I will never understand.  A cashier at a record store should not be permanent sustaining job.

It sounds like the store was being poorly run anyways.  After this story I don't think Bull Moose recovers for a long while.

Why not? 

This is the attitude that needs to fucking go away in this shithole country. 

I felt like what I did running record stores and bookstores was much more valuable to society at large than what ultimately wound up being my “permanent sustaining job.”

F Me In The Brain

Yeah, I work with large retail chains and the idea that only kids or part timers could be employed as cashiers is a seriously old-timey, out of touch idea.  These are jobs that many people hold to help fund their families or themselves.  A living wage is needed. 

They are also some of the employees who get the worst treatment in this country...not just from some employers but from the general public.  Witnessing the way some people treat folks who work at retail shops is a total embarrassment. 

Many times I leave a store shaking my head and thanking the FSM I was fortunate enough to get to where I am -- honestly think I would snap if I had to deal with the general asshole public in a polite fashion.  It is beyond staggering to see how idiots in this country behave toward other people.

mace1229

It’s probably a good time to sign up for BullMoose email list. Keep an eye out for going out of business discount emails.
Cant see this ending well for them.

dankind

If they were paid a living wage from the beginning, perhaps we'd be more inclined as a nation to think of these fellow humans as our equals and not as punching bags. Retail workers and and other public facing service positions are not considered lowly occupations in other advanced economies -- that is, except by American tourists.

tempo_n_groove

dankind said:

tempo_n_groove said:

Poncier said:

mace1229 said:

brianlux said:

Maybe not the best move on their part.  I can't say for sure at this point, but I may be re-thinking ordering here again.

https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/bull-moose-store-fires-all-workers-after-dispute-over-mask-policy-according-to-former-employees/97-3b5f826c-3eb1-442e-b165-ccda2aad6251

https://luke.substack.com/p/we-finally-started-bringing-our-concerns

If this is true, that's a total douche move and I wont be sad if they go out of business. But it doesn't all make sense to me. Like possibly something bigger behind the scene that the employees are not aware of.
Some employees were unhappy with the mask changes and complained about it, some complained in the work email. If you're annoyed at a couple of employees it doesn't make sense to fire all 20 and be closed indefinitely. Handle the ones misusing the email or causing problems.
Mask policy updated and employees were angry. Store closed early Thursday, mass termination email Friday.  Still closed today without signs of reopening. Either that is the worst business decision by any owner, or there was something else going on.

Did you read the second link?
Presents a far more plausible scenario.

I didn't realize this either  and just did.

People complaining about $12 who work in a record store talking about a living wage I will never understand.  A cashier at a record store should not be permanent sustaining job.

It sounds like the store was being poorly run anyways.  After this story I don't think Bull Moose recovers for a long while.

Why not? 

This is the attitude that needs to fucking go away in this shithole country. 

I felt like what I did running record stores and bookstores was much more valuable to society at large than what ultimately wound up being my “permanent sustaining job.”

I knew this response would trigger some.  I'll kindly disagree.  Working at McDonalds should NOT be your career path.

Working retail as a career shouldn't be your fallback.  Amazon is putting an end to that so thinking it should be a living wage to me is "old timey" as these jobs are becoming less and less.

dankind

tempo_n_groove said:

dankind said:

tempo_n_groove said:

Poncier said:

mace1229 said:

brianlux said:

Maybe not the best move on their part.  I can't say for sure at this point, but I may be re-thinking ordering here again.

https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/bull-moose-store-fires-all-workers-after-dispute-over-mask-policy-according-to-former-employees/97-3b5f826c-3eb1-442e-b165-ccda2aad6251

https://luke.substack.com/p/we-finally-started-bringing-our-concerns

If this is true, that's a total douche move and I wont be sad if they go out of business. But it doesn't all make sense to me. Like possibly something bigger behind the scene that the employees are not aware of.
Some employees were unhappy with the mask changes and complained about it, some complained in the work email. If you're annoyed at a couple of employees it doesn't make sense to fire all 20 and be closed indefinitely. Handle the ones misusing the email or causing problems.
Mask policy updated and employees were angry. Store closed early Thursday, mass termination email Friday.  Still closed today without signs of reopening. Either that is the worst business decision by any owner, or there was something else going on.

Did you read the second link?
Presents a far more plausible scenario.

I didn't realize this either  and just did.

People complaining about $12 who work in a record store talking about a living wage I will never understand.  A cashier at a record store should not be permanent sustaining job.

It sounds like the store was being poorly run anyways.  After this story I don't think Bull Moose recovers for a long while.

Why not? 

This is the attitude that needs to fucking go away in this shithole country. 

I felt like what I did running record stores and bookstores was much more valuable to society at large than what ultimately wound up being my “permanent sustaining job.”

I knew this response would trigger some.  I'll kindly disagree.  Working at McDonalds should NOT be your career path.

Working retail as a career shouldn't be your fallback.  Amazon is putting an end to that so thinking it should be a living wage to me is "old timey" as these jobs are becoming less and less.

Cool. So medical doctors should no longer make a living wage because WebMD?