Chicago - A message from the station manager

The [Wednesday] Papers

By Steve Rhodes

“McDonald’s is introducing a new training program for its U.S. employees . . . after dozens of workers complained about sexual harassment. The Chicago-based company said Wednesday that its franchisees have committed to provide the training – a combination of online work and in-person discussions – to 850,000 employees,” CBS and AP report.
“Beginning in October, it will educate workers about harassment and bullying, tell them how to report it, teach them ways to diffuse situations with customers or co-workers and discuss what bystanders can do.”
But . . .


“McDonald’s isn’t requiring franchisees – who are independent owners – to provide the training. But the National Franchisee Leadership Alliance, which represents franchisees, helped develop the training and is calling on all owners to provide it.”
So we shall see.
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“Studies suggest harassment is rampant in the fast food industry. In one 2016 survey of 1,271 U.S. female fast food workers, 40% said they faced sexual harassment on the job. Of those, 42% said they were forced to accept it because they couldn’t afford to lose their job and 20% said employers retaliated in some way after they reported the harassment, including cutting their hours or giving them a less desirable schedule. The survey was conducted by the National Partnership for Women and Families, the Ms. Foundation for Women and Futures Without Violence.
“McDonald’s, one of the world’s largest fast food chains, has been a particular target of workers’ ire. In May, the labor group Fight for $15 filed 25 sexual harassment charges against McDonald’s with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. It was the third time in three years that Fight for $15 had filed harassment charges on behalf of McDonald’s workers. In all, around 48 cases have been filed with the government and four have been filed in state courts.”
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Black Bears Ban
“When the Bears wear their 1936 throwbacks, they will inadvertently pay homage to the NFL’s 12-year ban on black players. Historian @readjack examines the ban and the role George Halas played in its creation.”
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Meat Helmut
“The hulking, Helmut Jahn-designed Thompson Center in the Loop is in dire need of repair. The 1.2-million-square-foot state office building is inefficient and expensive to operate – it costs the state $17 million a year – and officials said would cost about $300 million to overhaul,” the Real Deal notes.
“But the 17-story building is also in a prime location, and in April, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a bill setting up a two-year process to sell the property at 100 West Randolph Street through a competitive bidding process.
“Now, the state is moving that process forward with a request for proposal for ‘an array of technical and project management expertise’ related to the sale, according to a release sent out this week. Proposals are due Oct. 4.”
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I wouldn’t overestimate the building’s “prime location” – for how many years did the experts say the same thing about Block 37?
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Also, it’s an incredibly inefficient space. Most of it is air!
Perhaps it can be used as a giant geranium (terrarium?), or a trampoline park, or a helium storage facility. Or perhaps the insides can be built out. Or perhaps it should be demolished. In any case, I wouldn’t get expectations up.
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Lunch Rush
“It’s back to school time, and there’s growing concern that children may not have enough time to eat lunch,” ABC7 Chicago reports.
“According to a recent survey, more than 20% of public schools are giving children less than 20 minutes to eat.”
Assignment Desk, localize!
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Spout Doubt
“Millions of Contigo Kids Cleanable Water Bottles have been recalled because a silicone spout can detach and pose a choking hazard for children, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission stated Tuesday,” CNN reports.
“Contigo, a Chicago-based company, has received 149 complaints, including 18 incidents in which the spout was discovered in a child’s mouth. No injuries had occurred as of Tuesday. Recalled bottles should be immediately taken from children.”
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Caution Flag
“I can’t count the amount of times I’ve walked through the Chicago airport neon tunnel,” race car driver Scott Hargrove writes. “The music is burned into my head . . . If only the moving walkways actually worked!”
Ha ha ha ha. But true.
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New on the Beachwood today . . .
Sinclair Completes Acquisition Of Regional Sports Networks From Disney
Byron Allen signs on as co-conspirator.
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ChicagoReddit

PSA: Kroger bottled water is dirtier than our tap water from r/chicago


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ChicagoGram


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ChicagoTube
“My Autumn Love” / The Danderliers (1955)

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BeachBook
‘Fastest Woman On Four Wheels’ Jessi Combs Killed In Jet-Car Crash.

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Study: For The First Time In 30 Years, High School Sports Participation Is Down.

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TweetWood
A sampling of the delight and disgust you can find @BeachwoodReport.


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The Beachwood Tip It Over Line: Right into the fucking sun.

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Posted on August 28, 2019