A Chipotle location in State College, Pennsylvania was forced to temporarily close today after workers walked off the job, announcing their departure with a provocative sign in the restaurant window. As StateCollege.com reports, employees at the location near Penn State University announced the closure by writing: "Want to know why we are closed? Ask our corporate offices why their employees are forced to work in borderline sweatshop conditions."
The note asserts that "almost the entire management and crew have resigned," urging readers to Tweet "awareness" of the subpar working conditions. In an interview with Onward State, a former manager reveals more details surrounding the shutter: He claims that four managers have quit in the past two days, with one more employee submitting their resignation before the sign went up.
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The now-former manager, Brian Healy, tells Onward State he's the one responsible for the sign, saying: "We just felt neglected... I'm not trying to take down the Chipotle corporation, I just want to see people treated better." Meanwhile, the store in question is now re-open for business. In a statement to Eater, a Chipotle spokesperson says that the restaurant was closed "for much of the day when a few employees quit, locking out a majority of others who were enthusiastic to return to work. The restaurant is open for business again."
· Workers Walk Out of Chipotle [StateCollege via Gawker]
· Chipotle Closes Amid 'Heinous' Working Conditions [OS]
· All Chipotle Coverage on Eater [-E-]
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